Construction of a vital flood control project across three cities is set to begin by early summer.

The project: The $32 million Poor Farm Ditch project aims to reconstruct a longstanding failing concrete lining along the human-made ditch.

Design work on the project has been underway since 2015, though studies into the stormwater conveyance channel date back to the 1990s, Harris County Flood Control District officials said.

After more than 10 years of design work, Poor Farm Ditch is moving forward—with a boost in funding from city, county and federal dollars.

The timeline: Emily Woodell, HCFCD chief external affairs officer, said the project design for Poor Farm Ditch is complete, with bids for potential contractors having opened in February.

Construction is anticipated to start in early summer and occur in 500-foot segments to minimize impact to residents. Woodell said the entire project is set to be completed by 2030.

A new construction project near Amos Street is aiming to bring a high-end place for residents and doctors to stay in a gated community near the Texas Medical Center.

About the project: Project manager Patti Prasher said the community, called Diran at Amos Street, will consist of 14 identical patio homes at about 3,600 square feet with a 3-bedroom layout and en-suite bathrooms.

Other amenities will include:

• A second floor with a powder room
• A balcony off the main living area
• Two-car garage
• Amazon lockers on-site

West University Place officials voted 3-2 to accept revisions to the city’s tree ordinance March 9 during a regular City Council meeting.

Recommendations made by the public works department and an urban forestry consultant included replacing tree measurements with diameter instead of circumference, clarifying the definition of protected trees and strengthening penalties for violations.

What this means: The ordinance changes the definition of “large tree” by defining it as a tree with a stump that has a diameter of 6 inches or more. Previous measurements were to be done by circumference. This is also more consistent with the state’s definition, Public Works Director Michael Leech said.

“Circumference can be challenging to explain to homeowners at times, so diameter is a little more straightforward,” Leech said.

Also of note: Another update further defines public nuisances, which, under the current law, must be abated. The update defines public nuisances as limbs that overhang any portion of a right of way.

More than 60 crosswalks across Harris County Precinct 4 will receive a makeover while students are away for spring break.

What residents need to know: Harris County Precinct 4 commissioner Lesley Briones launched the spring break portion of Crosswalks 4 Precinct 4 during a March 6 news conference in front of Morton Ranch High School.

“From restriping crosswalks to upgrading traffic signals and rebuilding sidewalks, we are investing in safer streets for our children and families,” Briones said in a March 6 news release. “Safety does not take a break, and neither does your county government. At the end of the day, our goal is to keep your family safe.”

The specifics: The project—which will repaint crosswalks, curbs and stop sign road markings—produces just over $171,000 worth of upgrades for crosswalks in 12 “high-traffic school zones” detected from crash data and community input, officials said.

Moving forward: The crosswalks are all set to be completed by the end of spring break, weather permitting, Briones said.

Several road improvements are underway and coming soon across the Houston region. Here are some projects to keep an eye on.

Latest update: Construction bids for the $81 million Greenhouse Road overpass project are now being accepted, Harris County Precinct 3 officials said. 

According to details shared by Harris County MUD 500 and Caldwell Companies, the new Greenhouse Road underpass will include an expanded overpass on Hwy. 290, a tunnel structure underneath the Union Pacific railroad and additional sidewalks and pedestrian crossings.

Other projects: The Fort Bend County Toll Road Authority is expanding Westpark Tollway an additional four miles, bringing its new end to Charger Way. The first 2-mile extension of the project opened Feb. 28, more than eight months ahead of schedule.

Additionally, a portion of FM 1960 was widened from a four-lane asphalt roadway to a six-lane divided concrete roadway with a raised median, curbs and gutters, channelized left-turn lanes and 5-foot sidewalks on both sides of the roadway.