A major project to upgrade U.S. 63 with up to five lanes though the main highway district is nearing an end, the Houston City Council heard Monday.
City Administrator Larry Sutton reported on a briefing from MoDOT that gave an update on the project that runs from near Sommerfield Drive to near Indian Creek.
A $1,777,245 contract was awarded to Chester Bross Construction Co. of Hannibal for pavement improvements on U.S. 63 from Brushy Creek to Indian Creek in Texas County.
The nearly $1.8 mllion project includes five lanes from near First Street to Sonic Drive-In and three lanes from Miller’s Grill to Sonic Drive-In. Additional funding found later allowed for the third lane to be added from Sonic Drive-In south to Miller’s Grill that hadn’t been included in the original bid.
Sutton says he’s been told that a “diamond grinding” process will begin that smooths both the old and new concrete surfaces. It is estimated to take two weeks. Targeted first is an area on the south side of the project. The work will continue to the north — including the addition of rumble strips. New traffic lights also are in place at West Highway 17 and U.S. 63.
Sutton said for the most part, construction was completed without major disruptions at business driveways. No business closures occurred. The influx of workers also provided economic benefit to some businesses, Sutton believes.