A construction project aimed at improving a downtown Lubbock thoroughfare has officially begun.
City leaders and downtown business owners gathered Friday near the intersection of Broadway and Avenue M for a groundbreaking ceremony to mark the start of the reconstruction of Broadway from Avenue Q to Avenue E.
The project is part of a $103 million bond package voters approved in 2024 to tackle seven road construction projects throughout the city.
The Broadway project includes the addition of sidewalks, benches, bike racks, and trees on both sides of Broadway, according to a city news release.
“When it’s finished it’ll’ work better for drivers and it will also be a safer and more inviting place for drivers, pedestrians and cyclists. So we want people to come downtown, park their cars walk around, support our local business here and enjoy everything this area has to offer,” Lubbock Mayor Mark McBrayer said during the ceremony.
The project also replaces Broadway’s historic brick streets with a three-lane concrete road.
However, brick pavers with alternating colors will be placed at intersections and crosswalks.
“What we see taking shape here will be a smooth welcoming path while still paying tribute to Broadway’s history through the inclusion of brick pavers,” said District 1 councilwoman Christy Martinez-Garcia. “It will create a beautiful gateway into the heart of our city and help connect our community to all that downtown Lubbock has to offer.”
Construction is expected to begin soon and take about a year and a half to complete.
Lubbock City Council approves Broadway construction to begin this summer
Back in June, the Lubbock City Council approved authorizing the execution of a construction services contract for reconstruction of Broadway as part of the Street Bond Project.
Specifically, the city moved forward with a more than $17 million bid from Ti-Zack Concrete, LLC of Le Center, Minnesota for the re-construction of Broadway from Avenue Q to Avenue E.
The council also approved an additional $1,354,695 to Freese and Nichols Inc. for an additional 36 months to provide construction phase services for the Broadway project.
The City Council previously awarded Professional Services Agreement 18588 to Freese and Nichols Inc. – a contract of $2,631,026 of 15 months on Jan. 14, 2025, for design phase services for the Broadway Reconstruction.
According to past A-J reporting, the entire voter-approved $103 million bond package was intended to tackle seven road construction projects throughout the city, several of which are underway, including:
Gabriel Monte is the criminal justice reporter for the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal in Texas. Have a news tip for him? Email him at gmonte@lubbockonline.com.
This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: City leaders break ground on Broadway project in downtown Lubbock
Reporting by Gabriel Monte, Lubbock Avalanche-Journal / Lubbock Avalanche-Journal
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By Gabriel Monte, Lubbock Avalanche-Journal | USA TODAY Network
