Beyer Construction workers install signs on El Rio to inform motorists that construction started Monday on the NRG Park-area street between Holly Hall and Loop 610.
At a press conference this past Monday, May 16, Harris County Commissioner Gene L. Locke announced that his Precinct One has started a two-year, $30 million street repair program in the City of Houston. The repair program is the result of an interlocal agreement created by Commissioner Locke with Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner.
The interlocal agreement allows Harris County to make improvements to streets in Precinct One neighborhoods that are located in the city limits. The improvements include sidewalks, traffic control devices and other infrastructure-related projects.
“Today, we are breaking ground on not only a street repair program but on a new cooperation between Harris County and the City of Houston,” said Locke. “This is the first of several efforts that Harris County Precinct One will do in conjunction with the City of Houston in building streets and roads within the city.”
Locke was joined today at a news conference at Holly Hall and El Rio by two tenants of NRG Park – Jamey Rootes, President of the Houston Texans, and Jack Lyons, Chairman of the Board of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. Both Rootes and Lyons thanked Commissioner Locke for working with the city to improve the roads.
We have “a window of opportunity to pursue important infrastructure projects that will not only allow us to put our best foot forward when the eyes of the world are on Houston, Texas, but will serve our citizens every day for years to come,” said Rootes. “And this is a great example.”
The program begins with repairs to four streets and a beautification project near NRG Park that will be completed in time for the Super Bowl next February, and will benefit area residents and commuters years after the game is played.
Those projects include:
- Holly Hall between Fannin and Texas 288 (1.5 miles)
- Knight between Loop 610 and Fannin (1.96 miles)
- Ardmore between Holcombe and Holly Hall (.5 mile)
- El Rio between Holly Hall and Loop 610 (.5 mile)
- McNee beautification, including sidewalks, lighting and benches
“For too long these streets have been in disrepair and I’m proud that Harris County is stepping up and we are making the improvements today,” said Locke. “It’s important that Harris County and Houston look our best for the Super Bowl and make it easier for visitors to get around. But the work we are starting today and continuing for the next two years will improve the lives of our citizens who live, work and travel along these roads.”
As part of the interlocal agreement created by Locke, the city of Houston will provide Community Development Block Grant funding for some Harris County programs and services.
“I believe this agreement will be just the beginning of a new era of cooperation between the County and the City,” said Locke. “I’m looking forward to finding other ways for us to work together.”
Attendees at the press conference were also able to witness, first-hand, some of the actual repair work that has already begun in the city of Houston – on El Rio Street.
Those repairs included replacing concrete panels, removing and replacing broken or missing curb, repairing or replacing storm sewer inlets, and replacing broken concrete median.