Tree Lane Bridge Repairs Nearing Completion

10/12/24 – According to the minutes of latest Houston Public Works progress meeting Tree Lane Bridge repairs over Bens Branch were 57% complete as of 10/1/24 with 80% of the budget consumed. However, the contractor has completed a significant amount of additional work since then.

The million dollar project began in February. At the time, Public works predicted it would be complete by summer 2024. Unfortunately, that didn’t quite work out.

Status of Tree Lane Bridge Repairs

Completed as of mid-October:

Work under half of the bridge
Three of the four wing walls on either side of the Bens Branch, upstream and downstream of the bridge
Placement of rip rap next to the two eastern wing walls
Additional pilings/supports under both east and west sides of the bridge
A new storm-drain outfall on the southeast side

Not yet started:

Upstream work on the northwest wing wall
Soil grading (change order still pending)
Clean up
Reseeding

Still not moved:

Several pipes and cables

It’s unclear at this time whether the utilities are holding up any additional work, or whether they even have plans to move their property.

Downcutting of the stream bed through erosion exposed the pipe and cable, which used to be buried.

Pictures taken 10/12/24

In the progress meeting, the contractor estimated completion of Tree Lane Bridge repairs during the first week in November. The pictures below show the status of the work as of 10/12/24.

*A new, concrete bed has been poured to reduce the rate of downcutting by the stream and protect the piers. Note, however, that it only extends halfway under the bridge so far.*

*SE wing wall, new storm drain outfall and rip rap.*

*The four round pilings are new and will provide additional support for the bridge.* *Similar supports have been placed on the opposite side.* *Look closely in picture above.*

*Water pipe and cable still have not been moved.*

*Note new rip rap to the right of the outfall. Rip-rap (the concrete chunks) reduces the velocity of concentrated, flowing water and therefore erosion.*

*NW wing wall is complete, but new concrete bed under north side of bridge has not yet been started.*

*Neither has the* *NW wing wall been started.*

Pictures Taken Earlier

Chris Bloch, a Bear Branch Trail Association board member and local flood fighter, took the three Tree Lane Bridge repair pictures below.

Work in progress on new pilings on 10/3/24. Original bottom of stream bed was approximately three feet higher than current level, as you can see from the concrete still clinging to one of the old pilings.

Luckily, we have been having ideal construction weather since Beryl in early July. The mild drought has kept flow in the channel low, allowing work under the bridge to proceed safely.

Will These Repairs Hold?

Additional upstream development has increased the flow in Bens Branch in recent years. The bridge stood for more than 40 years without problems. However, this is the third set of repairs since 2020.

The current repairs appear more substantial than previous ones. But if the amount of water coming downstream continues to increase, even these repairs won’t last long. Water routinely comes up to the bridge deck.

*Photo by Chris Bloch of Tree Lane Bridge during TS Imelda.*

One cannot overstate the potential danger. Bear Branch Elementary is next to the bridge. More than 600 students attend the school and dozens of school buses routinely cross over the bridge every school day.