Laura Koppe Road Infrastructure Flood Protection

The city of Houston faced significant infrastructure challenges along a 1.5-mile stretch of Laura Koppe Road, a vital roadway for local traffic and community connectivity. The existing 2-lane asphalt road with open ditches was deteriorating and lacked the capacity to handle increasing traffic volumes and modern urban needs. The open ditch drainage system was insufficient, leading to frequent flood events during heavy rains, which disrupted traffic, caused flood damage, and posed safety hazards. Additionally, the road did not meet the city of Houston or the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards, leaving pedestrians and individuals with disabilities at risk due to the absence of sidewalks and wheelchair ramps.

Moreover, the surrounding area had experienced significant development, increasing the strain on existing utilities and the road network. With rising demands on water, sewer, and storm drainage systems, the city wanted to mitigate flood risks and improve stormwater management to protect flood-prone areas. The challenge was compounded by the need to coordinate with various public and private utilities, each with its own unique constraints and existing infrastructure. Balancing these needs while ensuring minimal disruption to residents and businesses during construction was paramount.

Our team delivered a comprehensive solution that addressed the city of Houston’s infrastructure challenges. The work started under DEC, which was acquired by our firm in 2024. We provided plans, specifications, and estimates (PS&E) design services for the complete reconstruction and expansion of the roadway, transforming it from a deteriorating 2-lane asphalt road into a modern 4-lane concrete street with curb and gutter improvements, controlled left-turn lanes, and ADA-compliant sidewalk ramps and crossing signals. Our team replaced the outdated open-ditch drainage system with a robust underground storm drainage system, ensuring effective flood management and addressing floods with enhanced gray infrastructure. Additionally, we upgraded 8,700 linear feet of water lines and reconstructed 8,800 linear feet of sanitary sewers, enhancing the utility infrastructure to meet current and future demands while improving water quality.

To navigate the complex utility conflicts that arose due to the proposed roadway and storm sewer designs, our team worked closely with utility subconsultants, identifying and implementing solutions that minimized disruptions and maintained project momentum. The solutions included revising storm sewer elevations, designing conflict manholes, and adjusting the location of sidewalks and valves to ensure their seamless integration with existing and proposed utilities. Our proactive coordination and problem-solving kept the project on track despite the challenges presented by the dense urban environment.

In response to the drainage design challenges, we conducted a thorough hydrologic and hydraulic analysis, evaluating alternative storm drainage designs to meet the city’s stringent criteria. We designed improvements to one of the Harris County Flood Control District outfall channels to achieve the necessary depth, incorporated a detention basin, and developed an in-line detention storm drainage system. These enhancements resolved the shallow outfall issue and ensured that the project met the city’s goals without causing adverse impacts to the surrounding flood control infrastructure. Our team delivered a roadway that meets the city’s immediate needs and supports the long-term resilience of Houston’s infrastructure projects in a cost-effective manner.