Medians running down Buffalo Speedway between US-59 and Bissonnet have been removed, along with trees and other vegetation, as the Upper Kirby District prepares to add two additional lanes to the street.
Construction started for the Buffalo Speedway Improvements Project on Feb. 10 and includes the addition of two traffic lanes, storm sewer system upgrades, moving overhead utilities underground and creating a new pedestrian friendly streetscape.
The improvements to Buffalo Speedway are expected to improve traffic congestion.
“It’s a congestion nightmare certain times of the day,” Upper Kirby Deputy Director Travis Younkin said. “Essentially, there’s so many cars … they end up sitting through whole light rotations.”
The first phase of the project is expected to take 90 days and includes utility work on the east side of the road. Once that is complete, utility companies will come in and move everything underground and the east side of the street will be repaved, Younkin said.
Work will then switch over to the west side, which is expected to be completed much quicker.
The project also includes a beautified streetscape that functions well for pedestrians and cars, Younkin said. The project is the same concept as Kirby Drive between Richmond and Westheimer.
Streetscape improvements include pedestrian lighting, enhanced sidewalks and crosswalks, benches and improved landscaping.
Buffalo Speedway will have trees spaced 25 feet up and down the street.
“It will be an amazing improvement,” he said.
Construction crews removed pear, holly and crape myrtle trees from the medians on Buffalo Speedway last week. The trees were removed and mulched, Younkin said.
The project, which costs $5.6 million, is expected to be completed in November.
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