Houston City Council approved millions of dollars in road, drainage and wastewater improvements Wednesday, October 14, including funding for a long-awaited Tanner Road project and work aimed at improving the city’s sewer system.
The projects could affect drivers, nearby residents and families dealing with sewage backups and costly repairs.
Council approved about $10.5 million for a joint project with Harris County to improve Tanner Road, from Triway Lane to about 350 feet east of Gessner Road.
The project has been in the works for years, according to Council Member Amy Peck, District A, who said during Wednesday’s meeting that the effort dates back to before 2014.
In a 2022 petition, local organizer Julianna Alff described flooding along Tanner Road that left vehicles stranded or damaged. The petition also raised concerns about workers being unable to reach nearby businesses during heavy rain.
The improvements are intended to address road and drainage conditions in the area. Residents will be watching for details about the construction schedule and how the work affects traffic.
Council also approved about $9 million in additional funding for the Eddington Lift Station project in the Eastwood neighborhood.
Council Member Joaquin Martinez said the broader project is estimated to cost about $96 million, with construction expected to begin in summer 2027.
Martinez said the work is part of improvements associated with a federal consent decree and is intended to increase wastewater capacity and reduce sanitary sewer overflows.
He also cautioned residents that construction will bring temporary disruptions to the Eastwood area.
The additional funding is part of a broader effort to improve wastewater service in Houston.
Council also approved a separate contract worth up to $11.6 million for sewer stoppage cleaning and camera inspections.
The work is intended to help crews clear blockages and identify problems in sewer pipes.
Sewage backups can be costly for homeowners. In northwest Houston’s Candlelight Oaks neighborhood, residents have reported repeated sewage overflows during heavy rain.
In a report by KPRC 2’s Jaewon Jung, resident Monica Mendoza More said her family spent about $4,000 after a sewage backup, including plumbing repairs, excavation and yard restoration.
City officials told KPRC 2 that crews found no problems during an inspection of the area. The city said it planned to monitor the neighborhood during future heavy rain.
The Candlelight Oaks reports involve a separate location from the Eastwood lift station project. The approved projects do not guarantee that sewage backups will be prevented in every neighborhood.
The Tanner Road project and wastewater improvements are intended to address infrastructure problems that can affect residents’ daily lives, from flooded roads to sewer service disruptions.
Construction timelines, traffic impacts and the effectiveness of the sewer work will be important to watch as the projects move forward.
Residents can follow updates through the City of Houston’s official agenda portal.
