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.
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.
Facilities requiring expansion were also common wall construction, and the EHRA team converted the facilities into aerobic digesters and sludge thickeners.
Engineering design and construction phase services of water, sewer, drainage and paving for four subdivision sections and off-site channel (123 acres out of a 400 acre subdivision). There was 60-feet of elevation difference on this site and wooded lots were left in their natural state which required the installation of retaining walls.
EHRA designed an expansion that implemented the installation of a new triplex lift station operating in conjunction with the existing duplex lift station.
It’s the most wonderful time of the year in Houston, where cowboy boots and carnival rides signal the arrival of one of the most iconic events in the Greater Houston region—the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo (HLSR). For Houstonians, the HLSR is marked by rodeo competitions, live music, foot-long corndogs and the nation’s largest livestock show.
EHRA Engineering and the HLSR have had a great history of working together on multiple projects and improvements that benefit this iconic annual event. From the parking lot improvements located South of IH 610 and post-event Traffic Control Planning to local pedestrian bridge enhancements, EHRA's contributions have played a vital role in the overall annual HLSR event of the season.
In the past year, the EHRA structures team had the opportunity to, once again, assist the HLSR, this time focusing on the improvement of the foundation for two existing pedestrian bridges crucial to the event's accessibility. These bridges see a substantial amount of pedestrian traffic during events, providing direct access from a METRO rail station located on Fannin Street to the HLSR grounds without disrupting major vehicular traffic and operations.
The bridges’ existing foundations were composed of aging asphalt that, with time, deteriorated from the continued load and use of the structures. Carlos Flores, PE conducted a foundation design that required the bridges to be temporarily relocated. This design called for the replacement of the entire footprint of both bridges with reinforced concrete. Existing utilities, pedestrian live loads, wind loads, self-weight loads and subgrade composition were taken into consideration for the development of the new foundation.
The construction of the foundations took place in the HLSR off-season, ensuring minimal disruption. The EHRA structures team conducted thorough inspections to certify the new foundations’ integrity before the pedestrian bridges were returned on site to their designated locations.
Another vital component of this project involved inspecting the two 52-foot clear-span bridges and completing this task prior to the HLSR kick-off event, which occurred just this past week. Our team was able to conduct and complete the inspection in time, and they presented the results to the City of Houston for final approval.
As we reflect on our partnership with the HLSR, EHRA looks forward to many more years of collaboration. Together, we continue to build a legacy that enhances the magic of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. So, put on your boots, join us in celebrating this annual Houston tradition and keep an eye out for some of EHRA’s projects brought to life!