The first round of projects were approved for submission Aug. 14 by Houston City Council. The list included seven projects spanning six of the city's 11 districts for a projected total cost of $433.9 million.
The overview
Two of the projects are located in District C, which covers western parts of Houston's Inner Loop, including parts of the Heights, Montrose and River Oaks areas. One project would involve reconstructing Westheimer Road/Elgin Street from Montrose Boulevard to Main Street. This project proposes:
- Reconstructing all intersections on Westheimer Road from Montrose Boulevard to Main Street
- Adding in a proposed 3-lane cross section
- Constructing wide sidewalks
- Making improvements across METRO'S BOOST network, which includes 17 of the busiest bus routes in Houston
- Providing safe crossing at regular intervals along the corridor for people walking and biking
More details
A second project in District C will address needed improvements on Waugh Drive from Washington Street to Allen Parkway. This project includes:
- Replacing the obsolete cloverleaf interchange at Memorial Drive with a single point urban interchange over Buffalo Bayou
- Realigning and rebuilding the Allen Parkway bridge
- Rebuilding the roadway from Washington to Allen Parkway, including Waugh and South Heights
- Improving drainage, detention, water lines and regional trail connectivity
- Enhancing Spotts Park
What they're saying
District C council member Abbie Kamin said she has been working for at least three years to move the Westheimer Road project forward.
"The fact that we can finally submit this to H-GAC, since the city cannot take this on, is a very big deal," she said. "I appreciate the support on this project, as well as all the projects on this list."
