Proposed bike lanes, sidewalks, and pedestrian zones coming to the Shepherd-Durham corridor

TxDot, the Texas Department of Transportation, has completed an environmental assessment of a proposed overhaul of Shepherd and Durham drives in the Heights. The project would cost $115 million and the agency is accepting public comments on its plan.

The project stretches from Loop 610 to I-10 and calls for reducing the number of travel lanes from four to three and adding a bike lane and installing sidewalks. Also in the plan are dedicated turn lanes, new lighting, landscaping and stormwater drainage.

A public hearing video covering the project plan and environmental assessment is available from the Memorial Heights Redevelopment Authority. Comments are being collected until Jan. 29 and can be submitted through the project website, by email to comments@memorialheightstirz5.com, by phone at 832-429-6237 or by mail to the MHRA: 1980 Post Oak Blvd., Ste. 1380, Houston, TX 77056.

The agency's next steps will be finalizing the design, an environmental decision and bidding the job for contracts. Construction is expected to start by the end of 2021.