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.
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.
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.
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 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.
Harris County Flood Control District’s (HCFCD) Zube Detention Basin and Conveyance Improvement Project began in 2015 and has officially opened the bidding of Phase 3 Construction Documents prepared by EHRA Engineering.
Phase 3 will lower the flowline of Little Cypress Creek by six feet and incorporate 9,300 feet of Natural Stabilized Channel in-stream structures. To lower the flowline, 492,000 cubic yards of material will be excavated for off-site disposal and 72,000 cubic yards of material for on-site fill. The current timeline for Phase 3 construction is around 18 months.
EHRA has a long history of assisting with the Zube Detention Basin project. EHRA designed the Ultimate Conditions for the detention basin and has assisted with two previous phases of construction.
The project is on-going as part of the Little Cypress Frontier Program, focusing on the 52-square-mile Little Cypress Creek Watershed in Northwest Harris County. The program itself is one component of HCFCD’s overall effort to plan for regional drainage infrastructure in advance of future land development.
According to the Harris County Flood Control District’s website, “The area, which is experiencing rapid development with construction of the Grand Parkway, lacks sufficient natural drainage to accommodate expected growth.” They have taken on an innovative approach to work in collaboration with landowners and developers to uncover the most cost-effective, mutually beneficial plan with the public and its future growth in mind.
The program calls for stricter stormwater detention requirements to mitigate runoff from new developments and will result in at least seven regional detention basins with a combined minimum storage of 14,000 acre-feet. The mission of the Harris County Flood Control District is to provide flood damage reduction projects that work, with appropriate regard for community and natural values.
EHRA Engineering is excited to see this project move onto the next phase!