The Transtec Group—Austin, Texas-based Pavement Engineering Firm—is developing the pavement design for segment H of SH 99 Grand Parkway of Greater Houston Area, Texas, USA. Primarily using concrete, the complete highway loop will consist of 12 total segments traversing Chambers, Harris, Liberty, and Montgomery counties in the Greater Houston region. According to the Texas DOT (TxDOT) website, the vision for mobility using a “highway loop” around Houston dates back to the early 1960s. More than 50 years later, this vision is becoming a reality with the design and construction of the remaining segments of SH 99 Grand Parkway,
Segments H, I-1 & I-2.
Mobility in the Greater Houston area will get a
significant boost with the next stages of construction of the
SH 99 Grand Parkway—184 miles—and will be the
longest highway loop in the United States,
slated to open Spring 2022.
This circumferential scenic highway will be the longest highway loop in the United States, traversing seven counties and encircling the Greater Houston region—the fourth-most populous city in the United States. Construction of new lanes and the modernization of the existing tolling infrastructure will increase capacity and improve mobility. Work is now underway on Segments H, I-1 & I-2, representing a 52.8-mile corridor spanning 52.8 miles, from US-59/I-69 to US 90, extending from Chambers, Harris, Liberty and Montgomery counties, northeast of Houston, Texas. These segments of the Grand Parkway loop are expected to open Spring 2022. It will be constructed primarily using concrete and consist of :
• A two-lane toll road
• Intermittent four-lane sections for passing
• Frontage roads
• Ramps
• Cross streets
Mauricio Ruiz, Director of Engineering at Transited said, “Our expertise gives them assurance that whatever optimization we do is not just to reduce cost savings, but to engineer a product that will last the intended design life. That’s one of the attributes that differentiate us from other engineering companies—we produce robust pavement designs that not only are cost-effective up front but are engineered to mitigate any risks and to last or outperform the intended design life.”
The new construction will accommodate population growth, improve mobility and safety, meet hurricane evacuation needs, and provide community linkage.
When Geotechnical Engineer Intertek-PSI and the Grand Parkway Infrastructure (GPI) team won the proposal for SH 99 Grand Parkway Segments H and I, they selected Transtec to support their venture as pavement designers because Intertek-PSI was highly satisfied by Transtec‘s work on another major Texas-based transportation infrastructure project they produced for them.
“PSI selected our services because we specialize in pavements,” said Ruiz. “Our expertise gives them assurance that whatever optimization we do is not just to reduce cost savings, but to engineer a product that will last the intended design life. That’s one of the attributes that differentiate us from other engineering companies; we produce robust pavement designs that not only are cost-effective up front but are engineered to mitigate any risks and to last or outperform the intended design life.”
Transtec also supported Zachry-Odebrecht Parkway Builders (ZOPB), a design and build joint venture, during the design and construction phases of SH 99 Grand Parkway Segments F1, F2, and G.
Construction is currently underway, and at 184 miles, SH 99 Grand Parkway will be the longest highway loop in the United States. Work is now underway on Segments H, I-1 & I-2, representing a 52.8-mile corridor spanning Chambers, Harris, Liberty and Montgomery counties, northeast of Houston, Texas. These segments of the Grand Parkway loop are expected to open Spring 2022.
For the Grand Parkway Infrastructure (GPI) SH 99 Grand Parkway Project—Segments H, I-1 & I-2 and MAPS on the Texas DOT (TxDOT) website, please go to: http://sh99grandpkwy.com/overview/