Better Roads Digital Magazine
Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/393925
HighwayContractor 18 October 2014 Better Roads Challenges and milestones To achieve these milestones, the project team is proactively planning and executing different operations and navigating challenges as they emerge. One of the primary challenges is the concurrent construction of the Grand Parkway, a major four-lane project that runs east to west perpendicular to the Tomball project. "The Tomball project goes under the Grand Parkway and over the frontage road," says Quiroga. "It's a three-tier level that requires complex coordination with several entities, including HCTRA, TxDOT, contractors and other engineering fi rms." For example, Quiroga says, when completing building the bridge substructure in the area of the Grand Parkway, coordina- tion had to be done with Grand Parkway's contractor to work during a specifi c time period and mobilized our crew and equipment accordingly. "Now, they are building their bridge deck and are coordinat- ing their activities with us," Quiroga. "We meet several times on the fi eld and plan tasks at least a month in advance to ensure that we don't affect each other's critical path." Another challenge the team encountered was the presence of numerous pipes in the detention pond. "As we were digging the detention pond, we found 5,000 linear feet of old pipes that were not shown in the plans but had to be removed to excavate for the pond." Quiroga says. "We had to procure an environmental contractor to come in and pull the pipes. To complicate matters, we were not able to procure the services of the environmental contractor that we fi rst selected. So, we went to plan B and selected a different contractor. This whole process took longer than expected." The project team has also faced challenges such as rain de- lays and equipment problems. Despite these challenges, the project is on course for completion in the summer of 2015. Planning for the future Unlike most projects, the Tomball Tollway is being con- structed with minimal disruption to the traveling public. "Usually, when you extend an existing road, it affects traffi c on a daily basis," Quiroga says. "This project is unique in that the tollway is being constructed in the center away from the traveling public. As this project continues, com- muters will continue using the frontage roads. It's also good for the contractors as they don't have to incorporate traffi c controls." Additionally, anticipating future growth, HCTRA and the project team are constructing the Tollway with room on its bridge structures to add another main lane. This will save the agency money in the long run and prevent future widening projects that could be expensive and disruptive to the travel- ing public. Upon completion, the project will signifi cantly ease congestion in a critical region of Houston, reduce commut- ing times and give drivers a new option to use non-stop toll lanes in addition to the currently used non-tolled frontage roads. It also will enable faster connections to major loca- tions such as the Bush-Intercontinental Airport, the Port of Houston and the Texas Medical Center, and potentially stimu- late economic development along the corridor. "This project comes at a crucial time for this community and is a win-win for all the stakeholders," Quiroga says. This article was contributed by Joel Schramm, regional transportation man- ager at Lockwood, Andrews & Newnam (LAN), a planning, engineering and program management fi rm headquartered in Houston. Photos courtesy of Lockwood, Andrews & Newnam (LAN) and the Harris County Toll Road Authority. Completed columns and caps on this six-lane highway (three in each direction).