Westheimer Improvement Project and 82 BOOST Upgrades Continue

If you’ve driven down Westheimer recently, you may have noticed new construction projects popping up. In May, METRO and the City of Houston broke ground on the Westheimer Improvement Project, which will completely reconstruct a 6-mile stretch of the road, build new or improved sidewalks, and enhance accessibility.

“We, of course, want to have the better walk, better stop, and better ride for our riders, and we also want it to be functional for those who live in the area,” said METRO Director of Pre-Construction Casey McKay.

McKay visits construction sites several times weekly to ensure the project runs smoothly. Crews are currently upgrading sidewalks along Dunlavy, which is part of METRO’s goal to improve walkability in the area.

The improvements are part of a larger project, METRO’s BOOST 82, which includes installing new bus shelters equipped with lighting, new trash cans and digital signs, among other upgrades.

“The new bus stops are new and improved with tactile warning strips, so passengers are aware of when they are getting close to the roadway,” said McKay. “The BOOST bus shelters are also equipped with a sign that tells you when the bus is coming, and it has a more modern look to it.”

The partnership with the city allows METRO to resurface the entire road. In areas where the roadway is failing, crews will perform a full-depth replacement.

Casey McKay (pictured in front row on right) says METRO's BOOST 82 project aims to provide a better walk, better stop, and better ride for riders.

"Today highlights Mayor Whitmire and METRO's commitment to being a more useful mobility system and our ongoing commitment to be the METRO that customers choose to use," said METRO Board Chair Elizabeth Gonzales Brock at the groundbreaking event. "This is just the beginning of our joint work to deliver a safer, cleaner, and more accessible service."

(L-R) METRO Board Member Kathy Khanh Han, Mayor John Whitmire, Board Chair Elizabeth Gonzalez Brock, Houston City Council Member Mary Nan Huffman, Board Member Rev. T. Leon Preston, Board Member Holly Maria Flynn Vilaseca.

The city will also perform sanitary sewer rehabilitation and new water line installations at some locations before the repaving begins. The work is on track to be completed within the two-year time frame allotted during project conception.

“We are just excited to get this project wrapped up. We know the community is eager to have the new finished roadway and improved bus stops,” said McKay.

METRO’s BOOST network includes 17 high-ridership, frequent bus routes. Other improvement projects are underway on the 56 Airline / Montrose and 54 Scott.