Greens Bayou Trail Phase 3

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.

Water Crest Development

EHRA assisted with the district creation of Montgomery County Municipal Utility District No. 126 to accommodate a ±329 acre master planned community located in northern Montgomery County in the City of Conroe, south of League Line Road, west of Longmire Road, and adjacent to Lake Conroe.

Meridiana

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.

West Road Phase 2 Sidewalk

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.

Northpark Drive Mobility 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.

29 February 2024

Project InFocus: Pedestrian Bridges Foundation Design & Inspection for the HLSR

Carlos Flores, PE

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!

Rodeo Parking Lot