Contact:

   Public Info.
Phone:

(713) 802-5071
 

September 17, 2009

 

Lane Reductions on North Loop Between I-45 and Ella Boulevard

HOUSTON - TxDOT’s contractor for the IH 610/North Loop reconstruction project began major milestone work last evening, Wednesday, September 16. The long-awaited rehabilitation work on the North Loop was recently advanced for contract letting using funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

The $29 million contract was awarded to Texas Sterling Construction. The contract allows the State to deliver much needed improvements on the North Loop between IH 45 and Ella Blvd.

The contractor will be removing the existing pavement which is swiftly approaching the end of its useful life and installing new pavement. The work to be performed will need to be done within the existing footprint, thus the contractor must make use of the existing shoulders to create a functionable work zone while simultaneously maintaining the flow of traffic along the corridor.

To do this, the contractor must close the outside lane of the North Loop westbound to prepare the shoulder for traffic, thus reducing traffic to three westbound lanes. Once the shoulder work is complete, the traffic will be shifted to the outer lanes. In the coming weeks, the contractor will replicate the work on the westbound lanes on the eastbound lanes so the contractor can begin replacing the pavement in the center.

Ultimately and throughout the duration of the contract, the North Loop between IH 45 and Ella Blvd will be reduced to three lanes in both directions.

The anticipated completion of the project is Summer 2011 and to motivate the contractor to meet and where possible beat the construction schedule financial incentives totaling $1.65 million and penalties for delays are incorporated in the contract.

For more information on this project and/or other in the Houston District call the Houston District Public Information Office at (713) 802-5076.