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Transportation

Work Is About To Begin On The New Elysian Viaduct

TxDOT is about to start a big project that could impact some of Houston’s northside neighborhoods over the next couple of years. A route that a lot of people use as a backup during rush hour is about to be demolished.

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  • Map of the Elysian Viaduct
    Map of the Elysian Viaduct
  • Elysian Viaduct crosses over Lyons Street
    Elysian Viaduct crosses over Lyons Street
  • Elysian Viaduct over I-10
    Elysian Viaduct over I-10
  • Underneath the Elysian Viaduct at Lyons Street
    Underneath the Elysian Viaduct at Lyons Street
  • The aging Elysian Viaduct will be totally demolished and replaced.
    The aging Elysian Viaduct will be totally demolished and replaced.
  • Beneath the Elysian Viaduct at Lyons Street
    Beneath the Elysian Viaduct at Lyons Street
  • Elysian Viaduct on the northside
    Elysian Viaduct on the northside
  • Downramp of Elysian Viaduct at Brooks Street
    Downramp of Elysian Viaduct at Brooks Street
  • Elysian Viaduct at Brooks Street
    Elysian Viaduct at Brooks Street
  • Elysian Viaduct at Brooks Street
    Elysian Viaduct at Brooks Street
  • Neighbors review information about the Elysian Viaduct project at a TxDOT open house
    Neighbors review information about the Elysian Viaduct project at a TxDOT open house
  • TxDOT officials answered questions about the Elysian Viaduct project at a recent open house at the Leonel Castillo Center in Near Northside.
    TxDOT officials answered questions about the Elysian Viaduct project at a recent open house at the Leonel Castillo Center in Near Northside.

At a recent public meeting in Near Northside, neighbors heard about TxDOT's plans to demolish and replace the Elysian Viaduct, an aging structure that was built in the 1950's.

The four-lane elevated roadway runs about a mile and a half. It carries traffic from the northside over I-10 and into downtown, ending near Minute Maid Park.

TxDOT's Danny Perez says the plan is to start tearing down the structure next week, starting on the downtown side.

"Once we start the demolition another crew will come behind them and actually start reconstruction of the project," explains Perez.

TxDOT says it wants to update the Elysian Viaduct so it can handle future growth. For one, the new roadway will include shoulders, something it doesn't have right now.

As for how long it will take to build the new viaduct, TxDOT says about two-and-a-half years. But Perez says they could have it done sooner.

"Having that corridor open as quickly as possible is definitely going to be a benefit not just for the local folks but folks that use that on a regular basis to and from downtown," adds Perez.

The cost of the new Elysian Viaduct is $35 million.

 

Gail Delaughter

Gail Delaughter

News Anchor

From early-morning interviews with commuters to walks through muddy construction sites, Gail covers all aspects of getting around Houston. That includes walking, driving, cycling, taking the bus, and occasionally flying. Before she became transportation reporter in 2011, Gail hosted weekend programs for Houston Public Media. She's also covered courts in...

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