This morning, City of Houston contractors began clearing access points for the Tree Lane Bridge repairs in Kingwood next to Bear Branch Elementary where more than 600 students attend classes.
The City announced the kickoff of the project on February 21, 2024, but work actually started today.
Photo on 4/9/2024. Step one: lumberjacks clearing access for Tree Lane bridge repair work.
Extent of Damage
This is actually the second round of repairs. The City made some rudimentary efforts in 2020 that ultimately proved ineffective. Four years later, erosion under the bridge is more extensive now than then.
I took all the pictures below on 4/7/24.
Tree Lane Bridge before start of Round 2 repairs. Collapse of East retaining wall.
The forensic report blames the damage on “failure of riprap.” Riprap is boulders placed in the stream designed to reduce erosion by slowing the flow of water, breaking it up, and providing a protective barrier.
However, the forensic analysis indicates that water flow in Bens Branch undermined the rip rap.
Soil beneath riprap can be eroded if the rock was just placed on top without any buffer between the layers such as a geotextile fabric or smaller riprap (crushed stone).
In this case, erosion removed more than a foot of soil behind the concrete walls, under the base, and under the existing riprap.
Tree Lane Bridge before start of Round 2 repairs. Downcutting under bridge.
You can see from the exposed utilities that the creek has downcut. This downcutting extends several hundred feet upstream of the bridge. And that’s part of the problem. It allowed water to get behind and under the existing channel linings.
Headward erosion downstream on west side and exposed utilities.
Construction plans call for:
Removing all the existing material under the bridge and on the sides of the banks
Installing a new concrete channel (bottom and sides) that will maintain the flow line of the stream.
Repairing outfalls.
The engineer’s report claims the proposed U-shaped channel will hold the current side slopes of the bridge and allow for the drop in the flow line.
For pictures of how the bridge looked after the last round of repairs, see this post from 3/31/2020.
For pictures of a flood responsible for much of the damage, see this post from 1/29/23.
A Silver Lining
The damage to the Tree Lane bridge has been so rapid, that it occurred twice within the time many Bear Branch students attended the adjacent elementary school. Perhaps it will inspire curiosity about flooding among some of these students, spur them to pursue engineering careers, and perhaps prevent such dangers in the future.
Safety Precaution
The City hopes to complete the Tree Lane bridge project sometime this summer, weather permitting. Please observe traffic warning signs, cones and flags for the duration. And keep curious children away from heavy equipment which will be maneuvering in tight spaces with limited visibility.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 4/9/2024with help from Chris Bloch of the Bear Branch Trail Association
2415 Days since Hurricane Harvey
https://i0.wp.com/reduceflooding.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/20240407-DJI_20240407104551_0170_D.jpg?fit=1100%2C619&ssl=16191100adminadmin2024-04-09 14:08:162024-04-09 14:16:48City Begins Tree Lane Bridge Repairs
In the latest episode of the Northpark Entergy saga, last week, Entergy finally began erecting new power poles outside of the Northpark Drive expansion right of way. While this is a huge improvement after four years of no Entergy activity, don’t get too excited.
In its quest to help develop an all weather evacuation route for 78,000 people, Entergy managed to erect four poles in five days. And there’s no sign of progress near Entergy’s transformer by the Exxon station at US59 either.
In other Northpark news:
The extra northbound turn lanes at 59 seem to be complete almost all the way back to Chick-Fil-A.
At Russell Palmer and Northpark, the crossover closure will take longer than expected.
Construction of the four decorative planting areas in the two stormwater retention-basins at US59 is now complete and contractors have filled in dirt behind the retaining walls.
See photos and details below.
Last of four decorative landscaping areas (right) is now complete and backfilled.
Entergy … La La, La La La!
On 4/2, I reported that Entergy had delivered new power poles to Northpark in preparation for moving their lines out of the City right of way.
Five days later and four years after first being notified, Entergy appears to have erected a grand total of four poles while others remain scattered on the ground.
The four Entergy power poles erected along Northpark during the week of April 1, 2024
Here’s what two look like from the ground.
See new poles on the right.Entergy has not yet placed equipment on any poles, nor has it relocated wires.
Meanwhile, many of the poles they delivered to the job site last week remain scattered on the ground.
Looking E. Northpark Drive (on right). UP Railroad Tracks out of frame on the bottom.
Moving the poles back will make room to construct turn lanes from Northpark onto Loop 494.
As I photographed Entergy’s underwhelming progress, I was reminded of what American ingenuity can achieve when companies put their shoulders into projects.
For instance, the transcontinental railroad took six years to build. Even more impressive is what the companies could achieve in a day…without modern equipment.
The Union Pacific once laid eight miles of track in a single day. Stung by the competition, “the Central Pacific concocted a plan to lay 10 miles in a day. Eight tracklayers put down 3,520 rails, while other workers laid 25,800 ties and drove 28,160 spikes in a single day.”
Compare that to Entergy’s four poles in four years. I guess that’s what happens when you give companies a monopoly in an area.
On February 6, the City of Houston gave Entergy an ultimatum to have the project completed by March 8. Tomorrow will be April 8.
Entergy appears to have put its A Team on the project. Speaking of A Teams, it only took three years to invent the atomic bomb, test it, deliver it, and conclude World War II.
But of course, Entergy is dealing with electricity and there are safety issues involved.
Entergy transformer at US59 still unmoved.
The Entergy transformer will require some study. To inspire public confidence, Entergy reportedly is putting its top engineers on the project.
Northbound Turn Lanes onto US59
On a happier note, traffic is now using new northbound turn lanes at US59, temporarily eliminating a huge bottleneck…until new pavement will go down for the existing lanes.
Looking W from 59 toward 494. North is left.
A new schedule posted by the Lake Houston Redevelopment Authority shows that most work in the next month will focus on underground utilities. Those include water lines, storm drains, and box culverts on both sides of the street.
According to the schedule, Harper Bothers Construction will also install the giant reinforced box culverts in the median of Northpark toward 59 for the rest of the month.
Before pavement goes farther east, more underground work is needed. Note culvert lined up in front of businesses.
Russell Palmer Crossover Work Delayed
The work near the Russell Palmer intersection must be taking longer than expected. Originally it was supposed to be finished by tomorrow morning at 5AM. But the new schedule shows it being completed by next Friday, 4/12/24.
A flashing sign along Northpark this morning warmed motorists to expect daily lane closures. However, there were none this morning. And contrary to earlier announcements, motorists were making it through the intersection.
The thoughts expressed in this post represent opinions on matters of public concern and safety. They are protected by the First Amendment of the US Constitution and the Anti-SLAPP Statute of the Great State of Texas.
https://i0.wp.com/reduceflooding.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/20240407-DJI_20240407100711_0153_D-copy.jpg?fit=1100%2C619&ssl=16191100adminadmin2024-04-07 15:53:002024-04-07 20:44:27Northpark Entergy Saga: New Power Poles Slowly Going Up
Colorado State University, which has one of the best reputations in seasonal hurricane forecasting, predicted on April 4 that the 2024 Atlantic Season will be “extremely active.” Compared to the average for 30 years from 1991 to 2020, the metrics suggest tropical activity could increase by 50% or more. Below are some of CSU’s key predictions.
Metric
CSU April Forecast for 2024
Average for 1991-2020
% Increase
Named Storms
23
14.4
53%
Hurricanes
11
7.2
53%
Major Hurricanes
5
3.2
56%
Accumulated Cyclone Energy*
125
73
71%
*West of 60 degrees longitude (Caribbean, Gulf, Western Atlantic, US East Coast)
2023 had 20 named Atlantic storms. That ranked fourth for the most-named storms in a year since 1950. If CSU predictions are accurate, this year will be even worse.
Basis for Forecast: Warm Waters, Less Wind Shear
According to CSU, when waters in the eastern and central tropical and subtropical Atlantic are much warmer than normal in the spring, it tends to weaken winds blowing across the tropical Atlantic. These conditions will likely lead to a continuation of well above-average water temperatures.
And a very warm Atlantic favors an above-average season, since a hurricane’s fuel source is warm ocean water. In addition, a warm Atlantic leads to lower atmospheric pressure and a more unstable atmosphere. Both conditions favor hurricanes.
The graph below from NOAA shows just how much warmer than normal sea surface temperatures were yesterday.
As of yesterday, sea surface temperatures around the world averaged 1 to 4 degrees centigrade higher than normal for this time of year. Four degrees centigrade equals 7.2 degrees Fahrenheit.
Confidence Level
Given the combined signals favorable to hurricane formation, CSU has higher-than-normal confidence for an April outlook that the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season will be very active.
This is the highest prediction for hurricanes that CSU has ever issued with their April outlook.
CSU
The CSU team will issue additional forecast updates on June 11, July 9 and Aug. 6.
New Metric More Accurate
“Accumulated Cyclone Energy (ACE) generated west of 60 degrees west” is a new metric, introduced by CSU this year. It correlates better with landfalling storms in the Atlantic basin than basin-wide ACE. That’s because virtually all hurricane-prone landmasses in the Atlantic Ocean are located west of 60 degrees west.
Landfall Predictions
The CSU report also includes the probability of a major hurricane making landfall:
62% for the entire U.S. coastline (average from 1880–2020 is 43%).
34% for the U.S. East Coast, including the Florida peninsula (average from 1880–2020 is 21%).
42% for the Gulf Coast from the Florida panhandle westward to Brownsville (average from 1880–2020 is 27%).
66% for the Caribbean (average from 1880–2020 is 47%).
Forecasters on both sides of the Atlantic have predicted an extremely active hurricane season since January. Adjectives have ranged from “supercharged” to “grim” and “blockbuster.”
The National Hurricane Center usually issues its seasonal outlook a little later in the season.
As always, researchers caution coastal residents to take proper precautions. It takes only one storm near you to make this an active season for you.
For more information about climate, hurricanes, and hurricane preparation, visit the National Hurricane Center.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 4/5/24
2411 Days since Hurricane Harvey
https://i0.wp.com/reduceflooding.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/SST-Temp-Anomalies-4.4.24.jpg?fit=1100%2C707&ssl=17071100adminadmin2024-04-05 14:58:042024-04-05 15:08:26Colorado State Predicts “Extremely Active” 2024 Atlantic Hurricane Season
City Begins Tree Lane Bridge Repairs
This morning, City of Houston contractors began clearing access points for the Tree Lane Bridge repairs in Kingwood next to Bear Branch Elementary where more than 600 students attend classes.
The City announced the kickoff of the project on February 21, 2024, but work actually started today.
Extent of Damage
This is actually the second round of repairs. The City made some rudimentary efforts in 2020 that ultimately proved ineffective. Four years later, erosion under the bridge is more extensive now than then.
I took all the pictures below on 4/7/24.
The forensic report blames the damage on “failure of riprap.” Riprap is boulders placed in the stream designed to reduce erosion by slowing the flow of water, breaking it up, and providing a protective barrier.
However, the forensic analysis indicates that water flow in Bens Branch undermined the rip rap.
Soil beneath riprap can be eroded if the rock was just placed on top without any buffer between the layers such as a geotextile fabric or smaller riprap (crushed stone).
In this case, erosion removed more than a foot of soil behind the concrete walls, under the base, and under the existing riprap.
You can see from the exposed utilities that the creek has downcut. This downcutting extends several hundred feet upstream of the bridge. And that’s part of the problem. It allowed water to get behind and under the existing channel linings.
Construction plans call for:
The engineer’s report claims the proposed U-shaped channel will hold the current side slopes of the bridge and allow for the drop in the flow line.
For More Information
See the Report of Findings, construction plans, and the City’s official Engage Houston web page.
For pictures of how the bridge looked after the last round of repairs, see this post from 3/31/2020.
For pictures of a flood responsible for much of the damage, see this post from 1/29/23.
A Silver Lining
The damage to the Tree Lane bridge has been so rapid, that it occurred twice within the time many Bear Branch students attended the adjacent elementary school. Perhaps it will inspire curiosity about flooding among some of these students, spur them to pursue engineering careers, and perhaps prevent such dangers in the future.
Safety Precaution
The City hopes to complete the Tree Lane bridge project sometime this summer, weather permitting. Please observe traffic warning signs, cones and flags for the duration. And keep curious children away from heavy equipment which will be maneuvering in tight spaces with limited visibility.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 4/9/2024 with help from Chris Bloch of the Bear Branch Trail Association
2415 Days since Hurricane Harvey
Northpark Entergy Saga: New Power Poles Slowly Going Up
In the latest episode of the Northpark Entergy saga, last week, Entergy finally began erecting new power poles outside of the Northpark Drive expansion right of way. While this is a huge improvement after four years of no Entergy activity, don’t get too excited.
In its quest to help develop an all weather evacuation route for 78,000 people, Entergy managed to erect four poles in five days. And there’s no sign of progress near Entergy’s transformer by the Exxon station at US59 either.
In other Northpark news:
See photos and details below.
Entergy … La La, La La La!
On 4/2, I reported that Entergy had delivered new power poles to Northpark in preparation for moving their lines out of the City right of way.
Five days later and four years after first being notified, Entergy appears to have erected a grand total of four poles while others remain scattered on the ground.
Here’s what two look like from the ground.
Meanwhile, many of the poles they delivered to the job site last week remain scattered on the ground.
Moving the poles back will make room to construct turn lanes from Northpark onto Loop 494.
As I photographed Entergy’s underwhelming progress, I was reminded of what American ingenuity can achieve when companies put their shoulders into projects.
For instance, the transcontinental railroad took six years to build. Even more impressive is what the companies could achieve in a day…without modern equipment.
The Union Pacific once laid eight miles of track in a single day. Stung by the competition, “the Central Pacific concocted a plan to lay 10 miles in a day. Eight tracklayers put down 3,520 rails, while other workers laid 25,800 ties and drove 28,160 spikes in a single day.”
Compare that to Entergy’s four poles in four years. I guess that’s what happens when you give companies a monopoly in an area.
On February 6, the City of Houston gave Entergy an ultimatum to have the project completed by March 8. Tomorrow will be April 8.
Entergy appears to have put its A Team on the project. Speaking of A Teams, it only took three years to invent the atomic bomb, test it, deliver it, and conclude World War II.
But of course, Entergy is dealing with electricity and there are safety issues involved.
The Entergy transformer will require some study. To inspire public confidence, Entergy reportedly is putting its top engineers on the project.
Northbound Turn Lanes onto US59
On a happier note, traffic is now using new northbound turn lanes at US59, temporarily eliminating a huge bottleneck…until new pavement will go down for the existing lanes.
A new schedule posted by the Lake Houston Redevelopment Authority shows that most work in the next month will focus on underground utilities. Those include water lines, storm drains, and box culverts on both sides of the street.
According to the schedule, Harper Bothers Construction will also install the giant reinforced box culverts in the median of Northpark toward 59 for the rest of the month.
Russell Palmer Crossover Work Delayed
The work near the Russell Palmer intersection must be taking longer than expected. Originally it was supposed to be finished by tomorrow morning at 5AM. But the new schedule shows it being completed by next Friday, 4/12/24.
A flashing sign along Northpark this morning warmed motorists to expect daily lane closures. However, there were none this morning. And contrary to earlier announcements, motorists were making it through the intersection.
For More Information
For more information about Northpark expansion, visit the project pages of the LHRA/Tirz 10 website. Or see these posts on ReduceFlooding:
Posted by Bob Rehak on 4/7/24
2413 Days since Hurricane Harvey
The thoughts expressed in this post represent opinions on matters of public concern and safety. They are protected by the First Amendment of the US Constitution and the Anti-SLAPP Statute of the Great State of Texas.
Colorado State Predicts “Extremely Active” 2024 Atlantic Hurricane Season
Colorado State University, which has one of the best reputations in seasonal hurricane forecasting, predicted on April 4 that the 2024 Atlantic Season will be “extremely active.” Compared to the average for 30 years from 1991 to 2020, the metrics suggest tropical activity could increase by 50% or more. Below are some of CSU’s key predictions.
2023 had 20 named Atlantic storms. That ranked fourth for the most-named storms in a year since 1950. If CSU predictions are accurate, this year will be even worse.
Basis for Forecast: Warm Waters, Less Wind Shear
According to CSU, when waters in the eastern and central tropical and subtropical Atlantic are much warmer than normal in the spring, it tends to weaken winds blowing across the tropical Atlantic. These conditions will likely lead to a continuation of well above-average water temperatures.
And a very warm Atlantic favors an above-average season, since a hurricane’s fuel source is warm ocean water. In addition, a warm Atlantic leads to lower atmospheric pressure and a more unstable atmosphere. Both conditions favor hurricanes.
The graph below from NOAA shows just how much warmer than normal sea surface temperatures were yesterday.
Confidence Level
Given the combined signals favorable to hurricane formation, CSU has higher-than-normal confidence for an April outlook that the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season will be very active.
The CSU team will issue additional forecast updates on June 11, July 9 and Aug. 6.
New Metric More Accurate
“Accumulated Cyclone Energy (ACE) generated west of 60 degrees west” is a new metric, introduced by CSU this year. It correlates better with landfalling storms in the Atlantic basin than basin-wide ACE. That’s because virtually all hurricane-prone landmasses in the Atlantic Ocean are located west of 60 degrees west.
Landfall Predictions
The CSU report also includes the probability of a major hurricane making landfall:
Data wonks can read CSU’s full 44-page report here.
Consistent with Other Seasonal Forecasts
Forecasters on both sides of the Atlantic have predicted an extremely active hurricane season since January. Adjectives have ranged from “supercharged” to “grim” and “blockbuster.”
The National Hurricane Center usually issues its seasonal outlook a little later in the season.
As always, researchers caution coastal residents to take proper precautions. It takes only one storm near you to make this an active season for you.
For more information about climate, hurricanes, and hurricane preparation, visit the National Hurricane Center.
Posted by Bob Rehak on 4/5/24
2411 Days since Hurricane Harvey