The Southwest Houston Redevelopment Authority (SWHRA) TIRZ 20 authorized Cobb, Fendley & Associates (CobbFendley) to proceed with engineering design services for the reconstruction of Harwin Drive and Gessner Road intersection and approaches in August 16, 2018. The project is located approximately eleven miles west-southwest of downtown Houston, Texas in the City Council District J (Key Map© 530A).

The major objective for this report are but not limited to the following:

  1. Review and evaluate existing right-of-way for future expansion in addition to sight distance visibility triangles for the approaches
  2. Provided added capacity to reduce congestion, delays, and improve the intersection level of service (LOS)
  3. Modernization of the existing traffic signal hardware with improved phasing & timing
  4. Implementation of ADA compliant pedestrian elements, street safety lighting, and signage & pavement markings
  5. Evaluation of existing public infrastructure including paving, drainage, water & wastewater facilities with feasible solutions, engineering recommendations & engineer’s construction cost estimate.

Upon completion of the study and design phase of the project CobbFendley has recommended the following items:

  • The proposed intersection approaches for Harwin Drive features a four-lane divided concrete boulevard with raised median and left turn bays.
  • Dedicated right turn lanes from EB & WB Harwin Drive onto the NB&SB Gessner Road traffic.
  • Medians along Harwin Drive will vary between 1 and 5 feet wide and all corner radii at the intersection will be increased to 35 feet.
  • The proposed Gessner Road approaches will remain as existing configuration.
  • Acquisition of 4 parcels of real estate to allow for the construction of proposed dedicated right turn lanes and corner setbacks (corner clips) for underground utilities, sidewalks, and traffic signal pole foundations.
  • ADA compliant reinforced concrete sidewalks and wheelchair ramps will be constructed within the project limits.
  • Pavement section will include 11-inch-thick reinforced concrete pavement on an 8 inch thick lime stabilized subgrade (5% by dry weight).
  • Existing driveways will be reconstructed with 7 inch thick reinforced concrete over 6 inches of stabilized subgrade with 10-ftt radii for driveway curb returns.
  • Proposed storm sewer drainage system will both simplify and improve elements of the existing system.
  • Replacement of the existing 20-in water main and water distribution system and appurtenances within the project limits.
  • Existing wastewater collection system has recently been rehabilitated by the COH PWE and no sanitary sewer modifications are necessary.
  • Incorporating a segment of future 10-ft wide hike & bike trail (future CenterPoint Trail) in collaboration with Houston Park Board to be located along the west and south property lines of existing CenterPoint electrical substation (Gessner east ROW line and Harwin north ROW line) and continuing south along the existing CenterPoint power line fee strip located approximately 500-ft east of the Gessner Road. See Sharpstown Trail Exhibit.
  • Reconstruction of existing traffic signal to accommodate the future lane configuration of the intersection in addition to 18 18 street safety light luminaires.
  • Relocation of the existing METRO bus stops to be replaced by 3 new bus shelters due to expansion of the Gessner and Harwin approaches to the intersection.
  • Currently the engineer’s construction cost for the project is estimated at $ $3,269,497
  • Bid ready construction documents have been approved by the City of Houston Public Works & Engineering.
  • The project will be let for construction upon securing the proposed rights-of way parcels require for the proposed infrastructure and reconfigured intersection geometry.
  • We anticipated obtaining right-of-way clearance by first quarter of 2021
  • Advertisement of the project for construction by late Spring 2021.
  • Based on our experience with similar roadway reconstruction projects we anticipate a construction duration of approximately 15 months.
  • For more graphical representation refer to Harwin-Gessner Intersection Exhibit.