Changes ahead for Kirby Drive

Houstonist has gotten to where we avoid Kirby Drive whenever we can — not only because of the constant traffic, but also because the torn-up pavement makes us feel like we're sitting in the rear car of the Texas Cyclone. So we were excited to hear about changes coming for Kirby, including new pavement, new storm sewers and fancy decorative intersections.

The practical parts of the project — reconstructed storm sewers and fresh pavement — are really the parts we're most excited about, because we're not partial to driving on bumpy roads underwater. But it's the decorative intersections that are getting the attention: They'll involve giant Texas star inlays where Kirby crosses Westheimer, West Alabama, Richmond, Bissonnet, Sunset, Rice, University and Holcombe. There will be other aesthetic improvements, too, including landscaping, brick crosswalks and traffic lights on poles instead of wires. The first phase of the decorative elements will cost about $2 million, which the Kirby Corridor Coalition hopes area businesses will cover. "There is an urgency because the city's construction will take three to four years," coalition co-chairwoman Jamie Brewster said. "If we act now, it will be less of an inconvenience for residents and more cost-effective."

When it's all said and done, Kirby will be reconstructed from Reliant Park to Allen Parkway. Now if someone could do something about the traffic ...