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Preface: The answers below were prepared with the intent of providing the public with a direct answer plus background when it will help with understanding the issues. These answers do not provide any assurances or implied promises. Keeping that in mind we hope the answers give you a good understanding of the subjects discussed.
Why is Smith and Travis being rebuilt as Smith was resurfaced just a few years ago and part of Travis just before the Super Bowl events? Smith was resurfaced almost 2 years ago so it could carry more cars and busses while Main Street was closed for the light rail construction. The new surface would be removed when the full reconstruction began but having a good alternate for overflow traffic was worth it.
It is being torn up again to build it as a new street including the underground utilities like Louisiana, Milam and the other METRO Transit Streets. The new asphalt overlay would not have lasted very long. The new concrete with the new utilities underneath will last a long time. Blocks in the north end of Travis were overlaid prior to the Super Bowl events to prepare for the large amount of traffic anticipated during those events.
Is the work on Lamar between Bagby and Smith and the work on Jefferson between Brazos and Smith part of the same contract? Yes. Those short sections were not done when the other portions of those streets were rebuilt due to coordination issues.
Will there be any difference in the rebuilt Smith and Travis Streets in comparison to the others METRO has rebuilt? On previous streets there has been changes to the sidewalk width. On Smith, with all the basements up to the existing curb, such changes are not feasible. The sidewalks will remain the same width--the new curb will be where the old curb is--and there will be no changes to the number of lanes. There are many basements on Travis so in many cases the improvements cannot be made all the way to the building.
Where will they move to when they finish where they are today and how will the job be sequenced?
For the Smith Street Project
METRO began on the south end of the project at Pierce and will work in the south most five blocks until they are completed to the degree required by the City. Then they will move the work area north by however many blocks they get sufficiently completed. On March 26, 2004 with the City's approval METRO began work on the north end of Smith beginning at Congress to no further south than Texas. The expectation is that as those blocks are completed they will move south by however many blocks they get sufficiently completed.
If there are no discoveries underground that mandate a change in sequence the south work zone will move north and the north work zone will move south to finish in the middle. Specific dates and this general sequence are subject to change. Often changes occur due to the many unforeseeable situations as have arisen on other street construction projects in downtown.
For the Travis Street Project
The contractor will begin work in the section of Travis from Walker to Bell. The initial excavations will be at the north end (at Walker) and progress to the south, i.e. toward Bell. Additional work areas have not been presented to the City and therefore have not been approved.
When will the work be completed?
For the Smith Street Project
- METRO's current schedule is for substantial completion by June 2005.
For the Travis Street Project
- METRO's current schedule is for substantial completion by July 2005.
What will prevent someone from digging it up once the new street is completed? There is a relatively new City ordinance providing new criteria and protections regarding excavations of a street that has been resurfaced within 5 years of the request. That ordinance is in Chapter 40 and is commonly called the Street Cut Ordinance. The changes to the ordinance requires that a contractor and those employing the contractor get a permit from the City before a street can be excavated. If the City grants the permit and the street has been resurfaced in the past five years then the contractor can be required to replace a large piece of the street. That provides a financial incentive for them to look for another route. But if there is no other route then we are not left with a long narrow patch.
What is all the cryptic various color paint markings on the old and new pavement that looks like someone is planning to dig it up again? The marking is commonly called "locates" and the color indicates the type of underground line below. The paint is not necessarily an indication that excavation is imminent. By state law a contractor that intends to dig in a location where underground utilities may exist is required to call and notify a group in advance. That group then notifies all underground utilities and if any has facilities they are marked with a specific color.
Who is the contractor on Smith Street and how do I contact them? Contractor Technology. Ltd., 1302 Cordell St., Houston, Texas 77008, (713) 802-0700.
Who is the contractor on Travis Street and how do I contact them? Texas Sterling Construction Company, 20810 Fernbush, Houston, TX 77073, (281) 821-9091 Who can I contact at METRO to ask questions about the Smith Street project? Call Connie Roebuck, the Community Outreach Representative, at 713-739-4896 or email her at CR02@ridemetro.org
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