Upland Avenue reconstruction brings lane reductions through spring 2028

Drivers using Upland Avenue in southwest Lubbock should expect lane reductions, temporary detours and slower travel as a $14.8 million reconstruction project moves forward between 82nd Street and just south of 98th Street.

TxDOT announced the project on July 2, 2026, saying traffic controls and barriers were scheduled to begin July 6. TxDOT is overseeing the City of Lubbock project, which is being built by L.A. Fuller and Sons Construction of Amarillo. The agency currently estimates that the work will be completed in spring 2028.

What drivers should expect

For most of the construction period, Upland Avenue is expected to remain one lane in each direction. TxDOT says motorists should plan for temporary detours, slow-moving traffic and delays, and consider alternate routes around the work zone.

The speed limit in the construction zone is expected to be reduced to 35 mph. Drivers should follow posted traffic controls, watch for workers and heavy equipment, and allow additional time for trips through the corridor.

The changing traffic pattern may also affect nearby residents, businesses, pedestrians, people using mobility devices and property owners who rely on access points along the project limits. Sidewalk and driveway access can change as construction advances, so people traveling outside a vehicle should follow posted routes and warnings.

What is being built

The existing two-lane roadway is planned to become a five-lane street with two travel lanes in each direction and a continuous left-turn lane. The project also includes drainage improvements, curb-and-gutter work, sidewalks, ADA ramps, signals, lighting, pavement, signs and related roadway features.

City of Lubbock capital-improvement records identify the corridor as Upland Avenue from 82nd Street to just south of 98th Street and say the existing two-lane pavement is carrying more traffic than it was designed to handle. The records cite congestion, continued development and ongoing maintenance needs as reasons for the planned reconstruction.

Why the completion dates differ

TxDOT’s public project announcement gives the current public-facing estimate of spring 2028. Earlier city and state technical records list different dates, including an October 2027 city construction-end estimate and a September 17, 2027 completion date in a Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation filing. Those records predate TxDOT’s July 2026 public update and should not be treated as the final schedule.

For now, commuters should allow extra travel time, use caution near the work zone and check current TxDOT and city traffic notices before traveling through the Upland Avenue section from 82nd Street to just south of 98th Street. Construction schedules, lane arrangements and access points can change as work progresses.

Sources

• TxDOT Lubbock project announcement
• City of Lubbock CIP 92649 project detail
• Texas TDLR Upland Avenue project filing