Second phase of Shepherd-Durham’s overhaul in Houston’s Heights will go largely as planned – Houston Public Media

The second phase of a long-planned road reconstruction project in Houston’s Heights neighborhood, which was halted in April by new Mayor John Whitmire over concerns about motorist mobility, will continue largely as originally planned.

Whitmire announced Tuesday afternoon that he and the Memorial Heights Redevelopment Authority, an arm of city government that is leading the $100 million infrastructure project, had reached a compromise on the overhaul of Shepherd and Durham roads, which are parallel north-south arteries. The second phase of the project covers the section of street between West 15^th Street and Interstate 10 to the south, while the nearly completed first phase stretches from 15^th to North Loop 610.

Both Shepherd and Durham will be reduced from four vehicle lanes to three as part of the first phase, which also includes the creation of a 10-foot-wide shared-use path for pedestrians and cyclists. Whitmire’s administration told redevelopment officials in April that the city would not approve construction permits for the second phase unless it was redesigned to maintain the existing four vehicle lanes and their existing widths, while reducing the width of the sidewalk to 6 feet.

The new agreed upon plan for the second phase calls for bike lanes and 6-foot sidewalks, according to the mayor’s office, which said Shepherd and Durham would be reduced to three vehicle lanes each measuring 11 feet wide. The West section 11^th The street between Durham and Shepherd will have four vehicle lanes, as will the 11 block^th it’s immediately east of Shepherd, according to Marlene Gafrick, the mayor’s mobility advisor.

“I don’t think these are consequential changes,” said Bob Stein, a Rice University professor and redevelopment authority board member. “They could have been stopped six months ago. The board would have been happy to make them happen.”

The project, which also includes an overhaul of stormwater drainage and underground street pipes, was among multiple road improvements suspended or put under review by Whitmire since his election as mayor last December. His administration is also examining the effectiveness of an overhaul of a 1.5-mile stretch of 11^thwhere protected bike lanes were added and the number of vehicle lanes were reduced in the same Heights neighborhood.

The Shepherd-Durham project received $65 million in federal funding, including $40 million for the second phase. There was concern that funding was in jeopardy when the pause was ordered, although Whitmire and the Memorial Heights Redevelopment Authority — also known as Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone 5 — both said Tuesday that their compromise would keep the initiative in place. line for this financing.

“The Shepherd Durham project promises significant benefits for a transportation corridor that has received no attention since the 1960s,” the redevelopment authority said in a statement. “Improved storm sewers will solve problems caused by undersized and failing pipes, while new water and wastewater services will ensure reliable service. Modern sidewalks, dedicated bike lanes and improved intersection design will significantly reduce accidents and improve accessibility and mobility for all users. the investment also supports economic growth by facilitating commercial development in the corridor.

The redevelopment authority thanked Whitmire for agreeing to move forward with the project, and Whitmire said in a statement that he “appreciates TIRZ providing additional data to move the project forward for the benefit of Houstonians.” The Houston City Council will be asked to approve an interlocal agreement for the project in the coming weeks, the mayor’s office said.