Identified as a top priority during the development of the District’s Parks Master Plan, this portion of trail was the first phase of over two miles of planned trails to provide connectivity and recreation for District residents.
EHRA offered its Landscape Architectural services to complete a Parks and Trails Master Plan for the District.
EHRA performed preliminary drainage area delineations for nine creek crossings and calculated approximate 100-year flows for each culvert crossing. Culvert structures were sized for each of the six crossings, ranging from 48” round pipe culverts up to dual 5’x5’ box culverts.
The purpose of this project was to convert the existing at-grade crossing of Brazoria County Road 56 (CR 56) and State Highway 288 (SH 288) into a diamond interchange that includes a new overpass bridge and providing access to the newly developed Meridiana Development. Coordination with TXDOT, area landowners, utility companies, and Brazoria County was integral in obtaining approval and acceptance of the project. The main design challenge for this project was to accommodate double intersections on the west side of SH 288 to tie into existing access roads with two-way traffic and a new southbound on-ramp within a close proximity. EHRA coordinated with TxDOT throughout the project from preliminary concepts for the intersection and bridge through final design and construction. Each component of this project was designed in accordance with TxDOT standards and criteria.
This project was the second phase of parks implementation outlined in the District's Parks Master Plan, which was completed by EHRA in 2007. Utilizing the site of a recently demolished former wastewater treatment plant provided an opportunity to create a passive park space for District residents.
Throughout my career, I have worked for, and alongside, many amazing and talented people. My experience also includes working with and for people who did not place a high value on their employees’ growth and morale. This exposure to different management styles has provided me with a great appreciation for the importance of building a strong team of colleagues and the impact a leader’s attitude as well as how they treat others can have on an organization and its employees.
During my last year of college while graduating from the University of Houston, I began an internship that would teach me not only how to apply what I had learned in school in the workplace, but also the characteristics and qualities of a good leader. For the next eight years, I had the opportunity to work with an outstanding mentor who provided guidance on my career path and helped me develop the skills necessary to be a successful engineer. But the most important lesson I learned was the impact a good mentor can have on employee development and morale.
A company’s most valuable asset is its employees. Keeping employees engaged improves workplace morale and encourages employees’ buy-in of the firm’s goals. Motivating employees also improves productivity – employees who are engaged understand their role, where they fit in the organization, and how their actions contribute to its success. Firms rely on their leaders to achieve this employee engagement and motivation. A successful leader must demonstrate a positive attitude and act as a positive role model, provide constructive feedback, and possess excellent communication skills. When a leader has a positive outlook on their life and career, this attitude tends to influence their colleagues and people reporting to them in the same way.
As my career progressed, I went on to manage projects, people, processes, and client relationships. My roles and responsibilities grew over time, yet I continued to prioritize personal development while inspiring others to set a course for future success. My mentor passed the baton to me; his mentoring skills and my experiences along the way have allowed me the opportunity to discover the qualities of effective leaders. Continuing that tradition, I work hard to motivate fellow team members, and empower colleagues to constantly learn and grow, both personally and professionally.