

EHRA completed preliminary engineering, phase one environmental site assessment and schematic development for the widening of Northpark Dr. between US 59 and Woodland Hills Dr. EHRA also provided program management, drainage analysis and design, traffic engineering, environmental documentation and schematic design for the roadway, as well as grade separation at the Loop 494/UPRR railroad crossing.
EHRA conducted traffic operations and access management studies for the Northpark Dr. corridor. This corridor is approximately 2.2 miles long and has major signalized and unsignalized intersections and driveways that access various subdivisions and industrial developments. These studies laid the groundwork for the widening of Northpark Dr. from a four-lane boulevard cross-section to a six-lane boulevard complete street. The new street design includes low impact development drainage, conventional drainage, a grade separation at the UPRR crossing with mechanically stabilized earth retaining walls, two at-grade crossings for bi-directional frontage access, reconstruction of two concrete bridges over a diversion channel, intersection improvements, a roadway-adjacent multiuse path and traffic signal improvements.
Drainage analysis and design included hydrologic and hydraulic studies of both existing and proposed conditions to demonstrate that proposed project components would not adversely affect the 100-year floodplain in the area. The roadway and traffic designs contained horizontal and vertical alignments, cross-sections, plan and profile, sidewalk and bicycle accommodations, intersection layouts, traffic control plans and signing and pavement markings.
As the program management firm, EHRA coordinated with TxDOT, UPRR, the City of Houston Council District E, COH Planning and Development Department, COH Public Works and Engineering Department, Montgomery County, Harris County, HCFCD and area residents throughout the project.
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.
EHRA conducted a traffic engineering study to identify the impacts of a proposed master development located near the intersection of FM 1488 and Peoples Road in the City of Conroe.
EHRA offered its Landscape Architectural services to complete a Parks and Trails Master Plan for the District.
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).
I grew up a latch key kid with parents who worked for everything we owned. As my parents often spent long hours away from home, I gained an independence and work ethic that has served me my entire life. I landed my first job when I turned legal working age. From that moment on, there hasn't been a day in my life when I was not working. I was the first in my family to go to college, but I struggled to find the work/school balance that I needed.
While my college career was ultimately cut short, my professional career was just beginning. I joined my Dad and now husband working on the road as an Oil & Gas Landman. We traveled to different cities and towns, researching in various courthouses for oil companies to explore and drill. As my family began to grow, my needs evolved, and I found myself looking for a change. The many people I met throughout my interview process at EHRA made me feel at home. I knew right then and there I was where I needed to be.
This company has seen me through several life-changing milestones and has made sure I know I have a long-term home here. EHRA leaders allow me the freedom to be a mom and wife first, never missing a cheerleading event or ball game, by trusting my professional commitment to accomplish work goals in a timely manner. I started my career at EHRA in January of 2014 as a platting coordinator and have never looked back.
From the very beginning, my mentor, Carol Redd, took me under her wing and we built a friendship and mutual respect for one another. She always joked about retiring and leaving it all to me one day, but knowing how much she loved this company, I never thought she would be ready to let it go. So when she told me she was discussing an exit plan, I was shocked and filled with emotion. During our time together at EHRA, Carol was an amazing mentor to me. Her influence will continue to shape me as a professional, and I can only hope to inspire and grow my team the way she inspired and grew the best in me.
Carol taught me just how important it is to put the extra time, attention and care into every plat. Carol never let the details go unnoticed, and her keen eye for specifics stuck with over all these years. In business, all you have are your name and reputation, so I make it a point to ensure it is always in good standing . With Carol’s retirement, came the opportunity for me to begin building my own team. We have since then hired two new platting assistants that are making the role their own. Seeing these new team members come together to learn new skills and facets of platting motivates me as their leader. The learning never stops—something I am discovering as I maneuver this new role as a project manager.
Like bookends on a shelf, platters are the beginning and end of every project. We help prepare cost estimates, review and submit preliminary and final plat packages and follow through to plat recordation. Plat recordation is crucial for our clients to begin selling lots to builders who can then turn around and sell lots to families! It is our job to facilitate all documents and requirements from the client and different taxing agencies to ensure we have everything that is needed to keep the project progressing.
Regulations and ordinances vary by entity. We have to be ready and able to immediately jump from one set of regulations in a city into another. This makes staying up to date with City ordinances and developer agreement changes imperative. While this takes time and practice, I have found that lists are a platter’s best-use tool.
Our team reviews plats in excruciating detail before they leave our office. We work closely with surveying and engineering to make sure our plats are correct and that they precisely align the construction plans. As individuals, we may not be perfect, yet we strive as a team to make sure the product we deliver is impeccable. Our ability to walk upstairs or across the hall to attain answers from colleagues in real time is an invaluable asset. Further, this advantage invariably increases overall project efficiency, a strength that is often noted by our valued clients.
We experience projects from concept to completion on a two-dimensional piece of black and white mylar paper. Seeing the final product come to life and the impact it has on a community of people is the best part of the job. Because of this, our team strives at least once a year to make a day of site visits to see the accomplishments of our work.
I am honored that EHRA and my leaders trust in my ability to develop this growing team. I do not take the task lightly and am excited to see how far we will go together. Although we have graduated from a small to mid-size firm, the original family values, founding family lines and warm family atmosphere remain intact. I am proud to play a part in this company’s future because it is my home.