Memorial Drive reconstruction project meeting, set March24, will allow public see overview, timeline and ask questions

Commuters, residents, business owners and anyone else who will be impacted by the upcoming Memorial Drive reconstruction project in west Houston will have an opportunity to take a final look at the plans and ask questions at a public meeting scheduled for March 24.

The city’s Public Works and Engineering Department will host the meeting, during which time officials will present an overview of the project, including a timeline and plans for traffic mitigation during construction and answer questions.

The meeting is at 6:30 p.m. in the youth activity room at Bridge Point Bible Church, 13277 Interstate 10.

Planned for the 2.5 mile stretch of roadway from Kirkwood to Eldridge is construction of a four-lane divided roadway with 10inch reinforced pavement and curb and gutters and replacement of water and sewer pipes.

The project also includes construction of sidewalks on both sides of Memorial with wheelchair ramps and driveways, replacement of the bridge at Turkey Creek and installation of seven new traffic signal systems and street lighting.

In the works for more than five years, Houston City Council in December gave final approval for the $39 million project, slated to get underway within the next 60 to 90 days.

The city will pay about $26.4 million, while $12.6 million will come from state funds.

The projected is expected to take almost 2 ½ years or 860 days to complete.

Public Works and En- gineering spokesman Alvin Wright said they will closely monitor contractor Oscar Renda Contracting Inc. to ensure the project is completed on time, pending cause for delays such as inclement weather or complications with infrastructure.

The increasingly busy roadway has deteriorated considerably over the years and was deemed beyond repair.

Instead the roadway will be completely rehabilitated, complete with a wide median and wider sidewalks, under ReBuild Houston and the city’s Capital Improvement Plan, meant to improve traffic circulation, mobility and drainage and handle future increases in traffic.

For more information contact the District Goffice at districtg@houstontx.gov or go to www. www.houstontx.gov/council/g/