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Construction is underway on the two-mile stretch of Broadway Street near Hobby Airport.
Construction crews are at work on the two-mile stretch of Broadway Street between Interstate 45 and Airport Boulevard. Cars are squeezing by on just two lanes. A few pedestrians resort to walking on the road due to the lack of sidewalks. But soon, the area will look a lot different.
Anne Culver is president of Scenic Houston. The nonprofit is working to raise $7.5 million to fund upgrades to Broadway Street. Culver says they plan to add oak trees, sidewalks and better lighting.
“First impressions count, and frankly, the first impression of Houston from our airports is not the best,” she says. “You’re in a first-class city that cares about itself, and we want to give all visitors and residents a great impression.”
Culver says the group kicked off this project because of other major improvements coming to the area.
The Texas Department of Transportation last year began a $17 million project to improve the road. They’re also adding new traffic signals and rebuilding sidewalks and wheelchair ramps.
“We thought that was the perfect opportunity to really do something high-impact and long lasting along Broadway Street,” Culver says.
Culver says she expects the renovations to be complete by the end of next year, just in time for the 2017 Super Bowl in Houston.