Beltway 8 Ship Channel Bridge Construction Engineering and Inspection

Background

Originally budgeted at $962 million, the Ship Channel Bridge Program is the biggest infrastructure project Harris County has ever undertaken. It includes the replacement of a single two-lane bridge with twin four-lane north and south bridges over the Houston Ship Channel. The project crosses the Sam Houston Tollway (Beltway 8 East) from Texas State Highway 225 to Interstate Highway 10.

Challenge

At just more than one mile long, the south approach is the longest on the Ship Channel Bridge, and its scope of work is very complex. Underground utility lines, previously contaminated soil, and over 40 support bents complicated design and execution.

Solution

Woolpert is providing construction engineering and inspection services and construction oversight to support the Ship Channel Bridge Program. Since project initiation in 2018, CivilTech, a wholly owned subsidiary of Woolpert, has provided a resident engineer and inspection staff who report to Harris County Toll Road Authority.

The team coordinates daily with personnel of nearby onshore industrial facilities to eliminate any potentially dangerous conflicts. The engineer-led inspection team manages the progress of assigned construction tasks, coordinates inspection and materials testing personnel, and manages project schedules. Additionally, the project team is responsible for monitoring contractor workmanship and material use. They also review plans and specifications in advance of various work operations.

The team was charged with monitoring established control and daily operations for compliance with plans, specifications, and Texas Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices requirements. The firm also manages and directs daily inspection crews and assures inspectors properly document all daily construction activities, photos, weather conditions, time charges, measurements and calculations, and contractor resources.