

The new roadway design comprises of one-half major thoroughfare, conventional drainage, a 600-ft long bridge over Willow Fork Bayou, Retaining walls and intersection improvements at FM 1463 (including traffic signals and illumination).
EHRA planners, hydrologists and landscape architects worked together to propose an alternative use for the space, re-developing the basin into an amenity pond. EHRA carefully selected native plant materials for both their ability to survive in the harsh conditions of the basin as well as providing filtration for improved storm water quality.
EHRA worked with the District to create a comprehensive Parks Master Plan, which included recommendations for the development of over two miles of hike/bike trails adjacent to local streets, and within flood control and utility pipeline easements. The District began implementation of the Plan by prioritizing the beautification of West Road, a major arterial street that runs through 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.
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.
My trek into the land surveying field is probably different than most people’s. I already had a degree in electronics and was working in Colorado when an accident happened that changed mine and my family’s lives forever. A backhoe fell on me and broke both my back and hip and had me laid up in bed wondering what I was going to do. I had asked a friend of mine if he were going to change professions what would he do. Of all things, he told me he would go into surveying. At the time, I had no idea what surveying was about, but little did I know that the best surveying school was located in Denver, Colorado; so, with four little kids and a wife at home, I enrolled in the next semester to start my new career (When God closes one door, he opens another).
I truly enjoy all aspects of the surveying profession, from the math, legal, CAD to the very cool “toys” that we get to use on a regular basis. When I started using GPS in the early 90’s, I thought that that would probably be the last thing I would have to learn within this profession. Much to my surprise, I was very wrong. I now oversee our drone LiDAR team at EHRA Engineering and the learning never stops.
Surveying is never dull and every project has its own unique challenges that I greatly enjoy. I’ve never once regretted changing professions and can honestly say that looking back, I am thankful for my accident and the new life that it brought me. Had the accident not happened, I would not be where I am today, nor would my three sons be in the surveying profession as well. My oldest son is an SIT and will be taking his RPLS exam soon. My middle son will soon be a junior party chief and my youngest is a survey CAD technician. God has truly blessed me and my family and I’m thankful every day for having found EHRA and the wonderful relationships that I have formed while working here. I guess my only regret is not having found this passion and EHRA earlier in my career.