Corner of 19th Street and Avenue Q
Recently, some of you on Facebook asked about specific road projects that have – how do we say this politely? – tested the patience of Lubbock drivers. One of them was University Avenue south of 98th Street, and you can check out that update here.
Another was 19th Street between Avenue Q and Interstate 27. There’s also news about 19th between University and Q.
“This has taken entirely too long,” one of our Facebook followers said. She’d like the project done “ … before the streets totally destroy my vehicle.”
Well, 19th is still a year away from being done.
This week we asked the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) for an update on its major projects inside the city limits. We have news on six construction zones from TxDOT spokesperson Dianah Ascencio – starting with 19th Street.
19th Street
Crews continue to work on a city water line at 19th and Avenue Q. You might recall in June, a newly built portion of the median along Q just north of 19th was torn out to get to the water main.
Technically that’s for the 19th Street project – not the refurbishing of Avenue Q.
“When work is completed at the intersection (waterline work and rebuilding the intersection), the work to get the Avenue Q brick median back in place will be done as part of the 19th Street project,” Ascencio said.
Crews will also work on the storm drainage system along 19th from Texas Avenue to Q.
“We’re waiting on materials … to start on the storm drainage.” Ascencio said.
But that’s not all.
“Work is tentatively scheduled to move onto the segment between Avenue Q and University in the next few weeks. When that does happen, all traffic will be shifted … ”
19th Street was listed on TxDOT’s project tracker for completion by July 2025. All the different bits and pieces of 19th from Memphis Avenue to Interstate 27 add up to more than three miles. The cost was listed in a 2022 press release as $25.69 million.
Avenue Q
This project is almost done.
“Crews are waiting for traffic signal controller boxes to be delivered for … the new signals on 13th and 15th streets and Broadway,” Ascencio said.
Other than scratching off a few to-do items from the list, TxDOT is done. The rehabilitation of Avenue Q was a $9.8 million project covering just less than four miles.
Loop 88
Portions of Loop 88 – or the Outer Loop – started in 2021. The final portions won’t start until 2031 according to the TxDOT website.
“Crews continue work to rebuild the University and Quaker Avenue intersections. Work on the westbound frontage roads also continues,” Ascencio said.
She said crews are also building overpass bridges in those areas.
When done, it will run 36 miles from Slaton to northwest Lubbock via Wolfforth.
114th Street
Widening 114th Street from Quaker Avenue to Indiana Avenue is almost done.
“The concrete pavement has been placed and curb and gutter work has been completed,” Ascencio said.
“The road still needs to be striped but it’s possible the road could be open to traffic in the next couple of weeks,” she said.
TxDOT does not have an exact date yet.
“There will still be various lane closures when crews begin working on placing sidewalks.”
There’s still some work to be done on new streetlights and traffic signals.
Upland Avenue
There was a groundbreaking in June for the Upland Avenue project between 66th Street and 82nd.
Crews are working on widening the road to five lanes. TxDOT’s project tracker did not yet list a completion date.
Woodrow Road
Westbound lanes in front of Lubbock-Cooper High School have been paved, according to Ascencio.
“Crews are currently working on installing sidewalks. … Work continues between Avenue P and University,” she said.
Woodrow at Loop 493 is almost done and might be open sometime next week.
Comment, react or share on our Facebook post.
Facebook