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.
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.
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. Coordination with TXDOT, area landowners, utility companies, and Brazoria County was integral in obtaining approval and acceptance of the project.
Facilities requiring expansion were also common wall construction, and the EHRA team converted the facilities into aerobic digesters and sludge thickeners.
EHRA offered its Landscape Architectural services to complete a Parks and Trails Master Plan for the District.
Situated in southern Waller County, the new Bold Fox community of La Segarra will be located near the intersection of Gassner Road and FM 362. La Segarra is 213 acres and will site 685 homes in this small master planned community.
As the name implies, La Segarra is an inspiration derived from the region of central Spain of the same name. La Segarra Spain is known for its hilly, countryside charm spotted with rustic architecture built in a manner of exceptional craftmanship and efficiency in living. Stone and masonry construction is the primary building materials used in its architecture. Roman architecture with a Spanish influence has created a unique setting in this part of Spain. People move about by multiple means of transportation. Many of the La Segarra residents access winding roads and purposeful and leisure use of numerous trails, all in an appropriate, environmentally conscious and cultural manner to the region.
La Segarra in Texas captures many of the same attributes of the Spanish countryside. With a number of homebuilders ready to begin, La Segarra will provide residents with community identity and belonging through special monumentation and programmed recreational offerings. These amenities will establish the brand of the community on which the homebuilders can capture individual architectural styles. The entrance to the community as well as into each enclave of homes will be monumented La Segarra style, with rustic features and plantings appropriate to the theme, as well as the community’s location on the prairies of Texas. Native plant material will be utilized for its appeal, hardiness and conditional tolerance of various horticultural influences. Much like the Spanish hillside, plantings in La Segarra will be concentrated in places where they will be recognized and would naturally thrive, thus minimizing the need to extraordinary care and irrigation. Native grasses will have a predominance in the landscape theme giving a natural appeal to the plantings and give sequential opportunity to continue the hillside-prairie onto the homesites.
Within the community, recreational enjoyment is captured in the use of generous land dedicated to open space. An ample number of parks are provided within the community enclaves. Additionally, recreational amenities will be provided at a community plaza, or “placa”, area as well as a centralized park site of larger acreage surrounded by the lakes and water features of the community. Serving primarily as a function for necessary drainage, the four lakes have been further shaped to provide visual and recreational benefit to residents and users of the surrounding parks and open space. These parks will allow residents to gather in number, enjoy the camaraderie of community and offer recreation with the amenities they will provide. Each of these parks will continue the theme of La Segarra and stay consistent with the community and cultural charm established.
With much fortune, La Segarra has topography. The community is designed such to advantage the natural lay of the land and emulate the rolling hills of a Spanish hillside. Generously sized parks and landscape buffers along the community main street will allow for the sculpting of the open spaces to enhance the feel of a Spanish hillside. With these features and continuity of theme, the challenges of developing a Spanish hillside community are successfully met.
Much like La Segarra Spain has developed over time, so too will La Segarra Texas. This community will be improved over a much shorter timeline as will its many recreational and themed features. As homeowners begin to call La Segarra home, this community will fully embrace the offerings and enjoy the many additional features that will follow.