HOUSTON — Westheimer Road is about to get some much-needed TLC.
The City of Houston and METRO announced Wednesday that certain sections of Westheimer Road between 610 Loop and Bagby will be repaved and bus stops along that route will be renovated.
Originally, the city had planned to repave only curb lanes where buses run, but the project was revised to include resurfacing the entire width of Westheimer where streets are hazardous, creating accessible sidewalks and upgrading bus stops.
"The decision to expand this project is cost-effective, causes less disruption for drivers in the long term, and will extend the life of the pavement," said METRO Chairman Elizabeth Gonzalez Brock. "An improvement like this is just one of many opportunities we have to put the needs of both our customers and the citizens who commute alongside METRO first and foremost."
While businesses said the improvements are needed, they hope they can stay afloat until it’s all done.
Celina Arcola has owned her hair salon, Nu Cuts, along Westheimer for 18 years.
"It’s been hard," she said. "It has not been easy, but a good thing we’re still here."
She said growth in the area has been constant and it's taken a toll on the streets and sidewalks. She sees it right outside her shop window.
"There are potholes all over," Arcola said.
During his campaign run, Houston Mayor John Whitmire said the city's infrastructure would be one of his priorities.
"Any decision we make to grow or change infrastructure will be initiated with a customer-first mindset and a responsibility to be good stewards of taxpayer resources," Whitmire said.
This project is estimated to cost $12.2 million, which city officials said will cost taxpayers less than the original plan. Construction is scheduled to begin in April 2024. METRO is working on developing a timeline for how long the project will take but estimates it could be around two years.