Lake Olympia roadway improvement project connects communities
The Lake Olympia project in Fort Bend County, Texas was the key that unlocked economic development for the entire area. It was the first of three roadways that are part of Fort Bend County’s major thoroughfare plan which will ultimately connect communities west of the Fort Bend Toll Road with the neighborhoods in Missouri City, Texas.
The project was recognized by the American Society of Highway Engineers (ASHE) Houston Section as Project of the Year in 2023 (under $20M).
PROJECT BACKGROUND & SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS
The primary objective of the Lake Olympia project was to improve approximately 3,600-ft of the four-lane concrete boulevard with median and storm sewer. This portion of the roadway connects Hurricane Lane to future Chimney Rock Road. Sight distances were checked at all driveways and intersections for visibility and improved driver safety.
In addition to improvements for the traveling public, pedestrian facility upgrades were also part of the project objectives. Safety was improved at the Hurricane Lane intersection by adding new ADA compliant pedestrian ramps and cross walk striping.
PROJECT COMPLEXITY
This RPS project was designed and constructed using Fort Bend County and Atlas -14 design criteria and included several unique and complex issues. The project site was generally a low-lying flat terrain with heavy brush, standing water, and wetlands.
The project required environmental permits, extensive clearing, and measures to dewater and replace saturated soil with soils suitable for roadway construction. The flat terrain and shallow outfall restricted the depth of storm sewer system and required wide, shallow roadside ditches to meet detention requirements based on the proposed increased impervious areas.
ORIGINAL OR INNOVATIVE APPLICATION OF NEW OR EXISTING TECHNIQUES
Portions of this project required a unique engineering approach to accommodate the existing design concerns. The project crossed a pipeline easement adjacent to the only outfall available for storm runoff.
The pipeline company required a minimum 4-ft of vertical clearance for the storm sewer to cross underneath the pipeline which was approximately 6-ft lower than the outfall elevation. The presence of these field conditions required a syphon design for the storm sewer system that utilizes head pressure to force the water upward above the outfall elevation so the runoff could drain. Because of this innovative technical application, a variance was required and subsequently approved by Fort Bend County.
SOCIAL, ECONOMIC AND SUSTAINABLE DESIGN AESTHETICS
In addition to the engineering solutions provided to this project, RPS also considered the importance of the project impacts to the surrounding community. The project provides direct access to a planned neighborhood that is now in construction since the roadway has been built. Our forward-thinking design has allowed for additional development along the roadway, and it is anticipated to provide services to the newly established community.
The Lake Olympia project was the key that unlocked economic development for the entire area. It was the
first of three roadways that are part of Fort Bend County’s major thoroughfare plan which will ultimately connect communities west of the Fort Bend Toll Road with the communities of the city of Missouri City.
Along with two other planned roadways, this project will provide alternate means of travel and potential escape routes for major storm events since all three roadways are designed to be above the 100-yr flood elevation. The roadways will also provide residents an option for safer travel speeds on a more comfortable divided boulevard when compared to other high-speed roadways in the area such as the Fort Bend Toll Road, the Sam Houston Toll Road, and SH 6.
EXCEEDING CLIENT/OWNER NEEDS
At RPS, we have behaviors that define who we are and how we do business. One of these is providing “Absolute Delivery” on each and every project. We deliver quality work on time and on budget, communicate clear expectations to enable high performance, and find opportunities that deliver high value to our clients and project owners.
The initial project was budgeted for $3,584,790.55 and was constructed for $3,317,948.25, exceeding the client’s fiscal goals by more than $200,000.00. Economic goals were also exceeded as the Lake Olympia is currently a driving force behind the continued development in the area.
RPS met the client’s overall project goals with the Lake Olympia project and coupled with the completion of two other roadway projects, this project will have positively enhanced the multi-modal needs of the entire area.
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