Bissonnet Street Reconstruction – Buffalo Speedway to Kirby Drive
Owner: Upper Kirby Redevelopment Authority (UKRA)
Engineer of Record: Gunda Corporation
Value: $7,700,000
Project Overview
Reytec Construction Resources, Inc. was selected by the Upper Kirby Redevelopment Authority (UKRA) to complete the full reconstruction of Bissonnet Street between Kirby Drive and Buffalo Speedway, one of Houston’s most heavily traveled east-west corridors. This project represented a vital improvement to the southern edge of the UKRA district, bordering the City of West University Place, and was central to restoring safety, mobility, and drainage reliability along a key urban connector.
Reytec’s selection came after the previous contractor defaulted and abandoned the project—leaving the intersection of Kirby Drive and Bissonnet Street incomplete and closed. UKRA turned to Reytec to take immediate control of the stalled work, stabilize conditions, and deliver a finished, high-quality roadway under extreme time constraints.
Scope & Key Components
The project included:
- Full roadway reconstruction of Bissonnet Street from Kirby Drive to Buffalo Speedway, including new concrete pavement, curbs, and sidewalks.
- Storm drainage, utility, and subgrade improvements to enhance flood control and long-term road performance.
- Traffic signalization, lighting, and streetscape restoration along the corridor.
- Emergency completion of the Kirby–Bissonnet intersection, including concrete paving, drainage tie-ins, and traffic restoration under accelerated conditions.
Reytec’s crews worked around the clock—in 24-hour shifts when necessary—to reopen the intersection by the deadline set ahead of Super Bowl LI (2017), a major event hosted in Houston that required full access to the corridor.
Challenges & Execution
Reytec inherited a project in disarray, requiring rapid mobilization, problem-solving, and coordination with engineers, city officials, and the UKRA team. The site presented multiple challenges—heavy traffic volumes, nearby businesses and residences, and incomplete or poorly documented prior work.
Through strong collaboration with Gunda Corporation and the UKRA, Reytec stabilized the work zone, restored community confidence, and executed complex civil work safely and efficiently. Maintaining traffic flow while rebuilding a major corridor under public scrutiny was among the project’s greatest achievements.
Impact & Benefits
The reconstructed Bissonnet Street corridor now provides improved mobility, enhanced drainage capacity, and a smoother, safer driving experience for thousands of daily commuters. The project also strengthened coordination between public agencies, engineering teams, and local businesses—demonstrating what can be achieved through focused partnership and perseverance.
Demonstrating Reytec’s Expertise
The Bissonnet Street Reconstruction project exemplifies Reytec’s reliability, adaptability, and technical excellence under pressure. Taking over a project that had been abandoned, Reytec demonstrated not only its construction expertise but also its leadership, integrity, and commitment to the community.
By completing the intersection portion on time for one of the city’s most visible events and delivering the full corridor reconstruction to UKRA’s standards, Reytec reaffirmed its reputation as a trusted partner for high-stakes, time-sensitive urban infrastructure projects—a company that shows up, solves problems, and gets the job done right.
