Honeycutt Road widening project could begin soon

A city official said construction to widen a 1-mile portion of Honeycutt Road could begin in one or two months if council approves an agreement with a contractor on Tuesday.

The project will improve the south side of Honeycutt Road between Porter Road and White and Parker Road. In addition to extra pavement, plans call for curb, gutter and sidewalk to be put in.

“Honeycutt is the major east-west corridor through the city and so this is to improve the travel through the heart of town and (provide) perfect connectivity,” said Joshua Plumb, the city’s engineering and floodplain manager.

The street will be restriped, bringing the total number of lanes to four. There currently are two lanes on the westbound portion of the road and one lane heading east.

Plumb said the work is anticipated to take between six and eight months, and would begin no later than the middle of June, if council approves the contract.

Council will consider a $1.37 million contract with Visus Engineering Construction, Inc. The city’s elected officials will possibly take action on approving about $1.6 million for the entire project, which includes more than $205,000 in contingency money.

The project is on the council's consent agenda, which means discussion on the item is not likely to happen. 

Bidding for the contract opened Jan. 30 and closed Feb. 20.

A city staff report states that once the project is completed, Honeycutt Road will have four lanes from around Pershing Street east to White and Parker Road – about a 3-mile stretch.

The report also states the project is part of a settlement agreement with a developer.

Plumb said the construction activity will not close off access to anyone’s property along Honeycutt Road.