Groundbreaking Marks Start of Northside Drainage + Paving Improvements in Houston

A groundbreaking ceremony held May 12 marked the start of the Northside High School Area Drainage and Paving Project, a major infrastructure initiative led by the City of Houston to improve flood resilience, roadway conditions, and neighborhood connectivity in the Near Northside community.

The event was attended by community members and elected officials, including Houston Mayor John Whitmire and Harris County Precinct #2 Commissioner Adrian Garcia.

Part of Houston Public Works’ broader Build Houston Forward program, the project is funded through a combination of city and county resources and is now under construction.

PGAL is providing civil engineering services for the project, which will reconstruct streets and upgrade underground drainage systems in the area surrounding Northside High School, generally bound by McNeil Street, Quitman Street, Hardy Street, and Fulton Street. Planned improvements include new storm sewer infrastructure, concrete paving, curbs, sidewalks, driveways, and utility enhancements designed to reduce street ponding and mitigate flood risk for residents and businesses.

“The groundbreaking marks an important milestone for the Northside community,” said PGAL Principal Costas Georghiou, PE. “These improvements are designed to enhance drainage performance, strengthen mobility, and support long-term resilience for the surrounding neighborhood.”

PGAL has been involved with the project since the initial professional engineering services contract was approved in 2021 and continues to support the effort through final design and construction phase services.