Memorial Heights Redevelopment Authority has begun construction on a 1,600-foot extension of the White Oak Bayou Trail. This top-rated trail, spanning 17 miles of bikeable and hike-able green space, provides a much-loved connection to the outdoors for Houston residents. In this blog, we will update you on what to expect as the construction project continues throughout the spring and into summer.
Extending the White Oak Bayou Trail
The extension of the White Oak Bayou Trail will provide a direct link from the main trail to TC Jester Boulevard. Previously, the trail ended at Moy Street, but this meant pedestrians and bicyclists had to utilize Egbert Street to reach TC Jester. Egbert is not an ideal passageway because it is a narrow residential street with no sidewalks. Trail users living in the adjacent neighborhood will still have the ability to access it via Moy Street.
Overall, the construction efforts will result in a safer and more direct trail experience. So far, we have placed the first section from Kansas Street to Egbert Street and the second section from Egbert Street to the City of Houston fence line. The extension is one segment of a larger project championed by residents to connect the White Oak Bayou Trail to Memorial Park. Multiple agencies are involved in making that connection a reality for the local community.
What to Expect From Construction
Expect construction noise to occur during normal weekday hours. We anticipate community residents and drivers will be largely un-impacted by the construction, as most of it is occurring in an area that is inaccessible to the public. The project has begun on the west end of the extension at Kansas Street where the existing sidewalk was removed to accommodate the larger trail.
Construction will later progress toward the east. At that time, the spur connecting White Oak Bayou Trail to Moy Street will be closed to accommodate construction.
Additional Memorial Heights Projects
The White Oak Bayou Trail extension is part of a larger project which includes current improvements underway at West Dallas, MKT/Spring Street, and Heights Boulevard from Washington to I-10.
We will be placing a project sign at each project location prior to or on the same day that work begins.
We welcome your questions and feedback throughout this process. Join us virtually on April 28th, 2022 at 10 a.m. for our next board meeting. You can find more details here.