Upcoming and Ongoing Projects

Lamar Boulevard Utilities and Road Reconstruction Project

The Lamar Boulevard Utilities and Road Reconstruction Project began March 1, 2004. This large, $12.6 million project will significantly improve the riding surface of 24 blocks of Lamar north of Town Lake. Construction is scheduled for completion in summer 2005.

The project involves major water and wastewater improvements, limited storm water improvements, road reconstruction, and pedestrian amenities.

On March 1, the contractor simultaneously began road reconstruction and utility work.

The project should reach completion by the end of summer 2005. The 16½-month schedule includes a six-week break in construction in the retail district (West 12th Street to Town Lake) for the 2004 holiday season.

The schedule also requires the work between Town Lake and West Ninth Street to be completed by Jan. 31, 2005. Unusually inclement weather or unexpected utility conflicts encountered during the work could extend the schedule.

The scope of the project:

• New wastewater lines from West Fifth Street to Parkway and from West 15th to West 24th Streets; wastewater crossings at West 15th Street and MLK, Jr. Boulevard.
• New water line from West 5th Street to Parkway and from Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard to West 24th Street.
• Numerous storm drain inlets along the length of the project.
• Full road reconstruction (asphalt) from Town Lake to West 24th Street.
• Concrete intersections at West Fifth, West Sixth and West 12th streets.
• Concrete road surface between West Fifth and West Sixth streets.
• Resurfacing the Lamar Boulevard Bridge at Town Lake and the Shoal Creek Bridge.

Pedestrian amenities:

• New sidewalk on Lamar from MLK to West 24th Street, east side.
• Sidewalk repairs where needed.
• New ADA ramps.
• Raised pedestrian island at West Sixth Street, north side.
• Pedestrian crossing at West Fifth Street, south side.

The project is funded by street reconstruction bonds approved by voters in 1998, the Austin Water Utility and the Transportation Planning and Sustainability Department.

Capital Excavation of Austin is the contractor.

eroding pipe	collapsed pipe with rubble	new clean pipe

Left, a section of the existing 1939 concrete wastewater line crossing Lamar Boulevard at West Fifth Street between Baylor and Bowie streets. Notice the heavy granular appearance of the pipe's inner surface. More than 60 years of use have significantly eroded -- and degraded -- the material, leaving the pebbly appearance. Although the line is still functional, it is in fragile condition. A portion of this line just east of the intersection of Lamar and West Fifth Street collapsed recently when the contractor began imaging to determine its condition. The old line will be replaced in the near future with 15-inch pipe as part of the project. Replacing old wastewater and water lines along and near Lamar is a major component of the $12.6 million project. Right, a new pipe with a smooth, unworn surface.
Photos courtesy Junior Henson and Joe Chesney, Capital Excavation.