HDR Selected To Complete Final Design for Key Segments of Greater Houston’s Grand Parkway

The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) has chosen HDR to complete the construction-ready design documents for two northeast segments of SH 99 / the Grand Parkway. HDR will complete the plans, specifications and estimates (PS&E) for the estimated $450 million potential widening of sections of segments H and I-1. 

The nearly 22-mile corridor, currently open as a two-lane toll road, is anticipated to be widened to four lanes, from the Community Drive exit in Liberty County to SH 146 (Mont Belvieu) in Chambers County. The highway, located northeast of Houston, is part of the proposed 180-mile Grand Parkway that will circumnavigate Greater Houston.

Since the existing lanes were completed, development in the area has accelerated, and more capacity is needed to accommodate continued growth and increased traffic. The corridor also includes upgrades to 24 bridges, including a 6,300-foot bridge over an active Union Pacific railyard.

HDR will update the existing environmental report and the project’s drainage and water detention design. HDR will also provide roadway, retaining wall and bridge design for the widened highway, including intelligent transportation systems (ITS), tolling and traffic signal design. 

The project requires collaboration and communication with many stakeholders, including TxDOT, Union Pacific Railroad, the Harris County Toll Road Authority, two counties, communities along the route, and the design-builder of the existing lanes, which has a contract for ongoing maintenance. 

“HDR’s highway teams excel at complex, multi-faceted projects such as the Grand Parkway,” HDR Highways & Roads Director Victoria Sheehan said. “We understand the importance of this project to the region and will bring all our technical expertise to bear, whether in hydraulic modeling, long-span bridge design, tolling and traffic management or roadway engineering, in support of the project's delivery. Texas drivers can look forward to improved mobility and reduced congestion as this project advances in the coming years.” 

Any financing of all or any portion of the costs of this project by TxDOT or the Grand Parkway Transportation Corporation will be subject to the covenants, restrictions and conditions of their respective existing financing documents, including the requirements for issuing additional debt. 

About HDR
HDR is a 100% employee-owned professional services firm. Founded over a century ago to bring electricity to a changing world, we are now a global company specializing in architecture, engineering, environmental and construction services. Our success in built and natural environments continues as we collaborate to solve our clients’ and communities’ most complex challenges.