Segment F-1 close to completion
Segment F-1 of Grand Parkway 99 (or Texas State Highway 99) is right on schedule to finish construction in the first quarter of 2016, according to Segment Manager Satya Guduru.
It marks a significant milestone in the highway’s construction. Along with segments F and G, Segment F-1 is the third of the three latest segments comprising the new Grand Parkway. It spans 11.9 miles and runs between U.S. 290 and State Highway 249. The Zachry-Odebrecht Parkway Builders is constructing it for the Texas Department of Transportation.
Unique feature
“A major milestone was near-completion of most bridges and drainage construction by mid-2015. We set that target and achieved it,” said Guduru.
Segment F-1’s unique feature lies within its extensive drainage system, which enables the management of stormwater and the large number of overpasses. Segments F, G, and all the others also have their own unique features.
All that remains to be done is paving of the main lane, which is almost complete. The team has also finished most of the structures, earthwork, and drainage.
Overcoming challenges
Both the team and the Segment F-1 drainage system were tested by this year’s heavy rainfall.
The near record rainfall of 35 inches in May and at the start of construction, before all the right-of-way was secured, proved to be the two biggest challenges for the team in 2015, according to Guduru.
“The entire system worked and minimized the impact of heavy rains on the surrounding areas. The rain slowed down our work, but advance planning minimized further and more extensive delays,” Guduru said.
The team had to divide the segment into five separate work zones in order to work on different areas as the right-of-way was being obtained.
By the end of 2014, the team had managed to secure all the right-of-way and gain full access to the area marking a significant achievement.
Field engineer Jack Paillant attributes much of the project’s successes to teamwork.He adds that Segment F-1 team is like a well-oiled machine. Even though it’s made up of people from diverse backgrounds and nationalities, they are able to work together.
Still a long road ahead
With the completion of Segment E back in 2013, only 3 of the 11 segments of the proposed 170-mile beltway have been completed. Back in December 25, 2011, all except Segment A has received full funding.
In 2016, three more segments (F, G and F-1) will be completed.
You’ve got to admire the vision and thought that these city planners put into this project from day one. You can still visit sites that the construction hasn’t gotten through yet and see all the land that’s been bought out years ago in anticipation for the Grand Parkway 99 construction.
It may not be long until this whole design-build project is complete, thanks to the continued dedication to excellence and planning that all the hard working engineers and contractors are putting into this project.
To learn how the construction of Segment F-1 of Grand Parkway 99 (or Texas State Highway 99) affects the housing market in the Texas neighborhoods you like in the North and Northeast Houston areas, call 832.777.8671.
