Construction begins on Allen Parkway facelift project

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Construction starts today on part of Allen Parkway near downtown Houston.

The almost $11 million project promises to transform the roadway, address safety concerns and improve access to the Buffalo Bayou Park.

PHOTOS: Renderings of Allen Parkway project

Lonnie Hoogeboom with the Houston Downtown Management District sat down with Eyewitness News and shared all the project details. He promised people will love the end result and said it should only add a minute to the average driver's commute.

"It's going to cost them a minute but it's going to be a much finer experience. The project is wonderful in terms of roadway improvements," said Hoogeboom. "This project will provide approximately 150 parking spaces including handicap and bus parking for school events."

Hoogeboom explained the big change shifts the outbound and inbound lanes south by utilizing the feeder road. The shift creates a buffer zone along the sidewalk. Crews plan to build parking in the newly freed up space, install crosswalks and plant more trees. The District said the new parking spots will be free but time limited.

The construction work will be done in phases. They hope to complete construction by summer 2016, just in time for the Free Press Summer Fest.