Transportation
BY MELISSA ENAJE & KEVIN VU
Reconstruction of west side roads kicks off A multiphase, multiyear roadway reconstruc- tion project to address longstanding street damage in West U’s west side is moving forward after City Council unanimously approved more than $216,000 in design contract work with IDS Engi- neering Group at the Aug. 11 City Council meeting. The entire project cost was listed at $2.89 million in the city’s fiscal year 2024-25 budget. Funding the project The approved contract is below the city’s budgeted amount of $241,000 within its Capital Improvement Program, according to the agenda. City Manager Dave Beach said for the project’s construction phase, staff is looking into potential federal grant funding with local state representa- tives. While funding sources are being allocated, Beach said they are preparing for the project to be “shovel-ready” so it can proceed quickly if and
HISD students to ride METRO for free The Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County and Houston ISD have part- nered up to provide free transportation for all high school students for the 2025-2026 academic year, according to an Aug. 5 news release. The collaboration aims to increase access to education, after-school activities, jobs and essential services while helping families save on transportation. How it works Students who sign up to use METRO will receive a preloaded METRO Q Fare Card through their school administrators to ride local buses, METRORail and curb2curb at no cost, per the release. Families can contact their student’s school administration to request a Metro Q Card.
Phase 1 (2026)
Phase 2 (2027)
Phase 3 (2028)
Phase 4 (2029)
Phase 5 (2030)
SWARTHMORE ST.
CASE ST.
BYRON ST. OBERLIN ST. VILLANOVA ST. MARQUETTE ST. FAIRHAVEN ST.
RILEY ST.
RUSKIN ST.
BELLAIRE BLVD.
CASON ST.
N
SOURCE: WEST UNIVERSITY PLACE/COMMUNITY IMPACT
when grant money becomes available. Public Works Director Michael Leech said the project includes replacing older panels along the streets, which have started to crack along their slabs, indicative of infrastructure management replacement practices. Design work is estimated for completion by June 2026, with construction starting afterwards.
11
BELLAIRE - MEYERLAND - WEST UNIVERSITY EDITION
Powered by FlippingBook