Austin-based pavement engineering firm The Transtec Group is developing the pavement design for segment H of SH 99 Grand Parkway. The complete highway loop will consist of 12 total segments traversing Chambers, Harris, Liberty, and Montgomery counties in the Greater Houston region.
Segment H is being constructed along with segments I-1 and I-2, a $894 million project spanning 52.8 miles. Segment H extends from US-59/I-69 to US 90 and will consist of a two-lane toll road with intermittent four-lane sections for passing, frontage roads, ramps, and cross streets constructed primarily using concrete.
The new construction will accommodate population growth, improve mobility and safety, meet hurricane evacuation needs, and provide community linkage.
After producing pavement designs for Geotechnical Engineer Intertek-PSI on another major transportation infrastructure project in Texas, Intertek-PSI was highly satisfied by the work of Transtec. When 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 again support their venture as pavement designers.
“PSI selected our services because we specialize in pavements,” said Mauricio Ruiz, Director of Engineering at Transtec. “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.
At 184 miles, SH 99 Grand Parkway will be the longest highway loop in the United States. Construction is currently underway on Segment H and the corridor is set to open Spring 2022.
