Fort Worth’s Uptown area is set to undergo significant street and utility improvements, with construction beginning on a $10.7 million project. This initiative, approved by voters in the 2022 bond election, aims to enhance the infrastructure of the area, providing new concrete pavement, curbs, and sidewalks, albeit only on one side of the streets due to budget constraints.

Project Details and Impact

According to project manager Christian Cardona, the improvements will include the installation of new concrete driveways and 5-foot-wide sidewalks. The streets slated for upgrades will also see utility enhancements, with water and sewer lines being replaced or updated on several streets, including Harding, Hays, Nichols, Peach, Wall, and Waterman.

For some residents, the city will reroute private sewer services from the back of homes to the front. Cardona assured that property owners affected by these changes should have already been notified. If not, they will not be impacted by the rerouting.

Community Concerns and Notifications

During a community meeting on May 13, residents expressed concerns about the decision to install sidewalks on only one side of the streets. Mary Hanna, a senior capital projects officer, explained that the initial budget of $3.2 million was exceeded by $1.5 million, even without the sidewalks, prompting the city to increase the program budget to $10.7 million.

Residents will receive two notifications before construction begins: one a week prior and another a day before. Temporary water shut-offs will occur twice during the water line replacements, and billing will be based on previous average usage. Access to driveways will be temporarily lost during replacements.

The project is expected to be completed by fall 2027, with utility work preceding pavement upgrades. Community members are encouraged to contact Christian Cardona with any specific concerns or questions about the project.

Original reporting: Fort Worth Report — read the source article.