What You Need To Know About The Changes Coming To Post Oak Boulevard
Construction is well underway on the Post Oak Boulevard project. Soon, the busy thoroughfare will have a completely different look — but not before more construction headaches. We have you covered with everything you need to know about the project reshaping the future of Uptown and the Galleria.
The Plan
Uptown Houston is turning Post Oak Boulevard into a beautifully landscaped grand boulevard while improving transit access. The plan centers around three major changes.
1) Connections To Katy/US-290 Park & Ride Lots
The project taps into the existing 290 and I-10 HOV lanes, allowing employees to use Park & Ride lots along both corridors.
2) Post Oak Boulevard Dedicated Bus Lanes
New dedicated bus lanes in the median of an expanded Post Oak Boulevard extending from 610 to Richmond.
3) Connections To US-59/Westpark
A newly constructed Bellaire/Uptown Transit Center will tap into existing Westpark Tollway and Southwest Freeway HOV lanes, allowing employees to use Park & Rides along both.
Construction
Construction will be broken down into three parts.
1) North: West Loop to San Felipe
2) Middle: San Felipe to Westheimer
3) South: Westheimer to Richmond
Active construction segments will maintain a minimum of two lanes of traffic in each direction and all turning movements at intersections during peak periods on weekdays. Non-active construction segments will maintain three lanes in each direction, including all turning movements at intersections.
Construction started on the north segment in July 2016. Uptown Houston president John Breeding said the southbound lanes in the north segment will be completed by the end of the summer. Northbound lanes will be completed before Christmas.
Uptown Houston has awarded the contracts for the remaining two sections. Breeding said the priority is to get all the lanes open as quickly as possible, then take time to construct the median. All construction is on schedule and expected to be completed by late 2018.
"We're committed to managing construction," Breeding said. "Not only are we building a significant improvement to the roadways, we're also upgrading the utilities that are probably well past 50 or 60 years old."
Breeding is excited about the pedestrian improvement as well. Twelve-foot sidewalks are being installed on both sides, under a colonnade of Live Oak trees with unique lighting. The area will be easier to drive, easier to get to and easier to walk.
The $20M project has had its critics. In February, a judge denied a temporary restraining order seeking to block the planned development. The lawsuit claims that funds for the project were collected through an unconstitutional tax regime implemented by TIRZ 16, known as Uptown Houston. Other districts around the city are facing the same issue, like Montrose.
Hear more about plans for the area from Breeding and other experts at Bisnow's Future of Uptown, The Galleria & Greenway Plaza event March 29.
