HCA’s 2020 Forecast Luncheon

HCA’s 2020 Forecast Luncheon

Eliza Paul, District Engineer, TxDOT:  As the first speaker, Mrs. Paul presented a highly detailed list of projects for the remainder of the 2020 fiscal year (FY) and all for FY 2021.  These nearly 200 projects ranged in let amounts, but Paul highlighted the projects greater than $10 million and greater that $20 million.  In April of 2020, there will be a $43.3 million projects in Fort Bend to widen IH-69 from two lanes to four lanes.  In May 2020, Harris County will reconstruct Memorial Drive from East of Beltway 8 for $18.3 million.  June will have a $13.5 million project on Eldridge Parkway.  September will see a $28.9 million in Montgomery County, and both a $64.3 million and $69.05 million in Harris County.  All will involve widening the lanes.  In ending FY 2020, August will see seven major projects totaling to roughly $375,000,000 in addition to their other 17 projects.  FY 2021 will have $564,265,936 in lettings.  To see TxDOT’s full listing, visit the News tab on the HCA website: houstoncontractors.org

Alisa Max, Chief Operations Officer, Harris County Engineering Department: Next, Mrs. Max presented the 2020 Construction Forecast.  This highlighted the major building projects. Juvenile Probation Facility Repairs with an estimated cost of $5million (CIP-Buildings).  Parking and roofing repairs with an estimated cost of $10 million (CIP-Buildings).  Quebedeaux Park with an estimated cost yet to be determined (Arch & Civil – in planning).  Preston Street Central Plant with an estimated cost of $61 million with $20 Million being spent in 2020 (Maintenance).  Spring Creek Greenway – Creekside West Trailhead to Burroughs Park with an estimated cost of $4.5 million (Arch & Civil projects).  Transportation Improvements near University of Houston Cullen from S Wheeler to IH-45 with an estimated cost of $18.8 million (Road).  Finally, Hufsmith-Kohrville Rd from Ezequiel to Holderrieth with an estimated cost of $15 million (Road). 

Nathan Hayden, Director, Construction Division, Harris County Flood Control: Mr. Hayden presented the HCFCD’s 2020 outlook for project advertisements.  This 12-month listing totaled to $5.7 million worth of work.  Hayden stated that funds from the 2018 Bond election will be funding many of these projects.  He highlighted the Spring projects with an estimated cost over $10 million.  The Cutten Stormwater Detention Basin Improvement project has an estimated cost of $16.3 million.  Lauder Detention Basin Construction Phase 1 – Final is listed at about $14 million.  And lastly for the Spring, the White Oak Bayou Federal Flood Control Project, Channel Modifications from Hollister Street to FM 1960 with an estimated cost of $22.5 million.   For Summer 2020, the sole project over $10 million is Clear Creek Federal Flood Management Project with the estimated cost of $295,000,000.  Fall 2020 lists Major Maintenance of Cypress Creek and Tributaries – Package 1 at $12 million and Major Maintenance of Cypress Creek and Tributaries – Package 2 at $22 million.  Winter 2020 will have the Stabilization and Excavation of Basin a $20 million and finally, Inwood Forest Stormwater Detention Basin Phase 1 & 2 at $48 million. 

Matt Kainer, Assistant Director, Maintenance & Construction Engineering, Harris County Toll Road Authority: Mr. Kainer stated that HCTRA has ten tollway and highway construction projects, let date will be spread throughout the year.  There are projects over $10 million.  The first being the Wilshire Service Center in quarter-two with an estimated cost of $60 million.  Also, in quarter-two, the Central Plaza Safety Improvements will be $15 million.  Although they are not estimated at over $10 million, quarter-two will be having three maintenance projects of $5 million each.  Quarter three will see South Plaza Safety Improvements, Quitman Overpass at Future Hardy Toll Road, both being $15 million.  The highest project cost is $120 million for the Ship Channel Bridge NB Approaches.  Quarter-four has the Hardy Toll Road Downtown Connector at $150 million.  HCTRA will be having $408 million worth of projects in 2020. 

Ike Akinwande, Assistant County Engineer, Fort Bend Projects: Keeping the presentation brief, Mr. Akinwande shared that Fort Bend will have five category types for their 2020 projects.  First, there will be 26 total projects with an estimated cost of $90 million.  There will be a single drainage project at $6 million.  Toll Road Authority will have 13 total projects costing roughly $88 million.  There will be five facilities projects with an estimated cost of $27 million.  And lastly, there will be seven traffic signal projects with an estimated cost of $3 million.  Altogether, Fort Bend County will have 52 projects costing an estimated $214 million.

Michael Shannon, Engineer, Galveston County: Mr. Shannon stated that Galveston County has projects that are funded individually by four different sources.  He stated that there are six FEMA funded projects totaling just over $4.7 million.  There are eight CDBG funded projects totaling roughly $14.8 million.  He stated that there are five projects with an estimated cost of $2.3 million that are in the funding type “other.”  He also stated that there are twenty-two County Bond Projects with an estimated cost of $37 million. 

Jeff Masek, Assistant Director, Capital Projects, City of Houston Public Works:

Jason McLemore, Deputy Assistant Director, Office of Business Opportunity, Houston Airport System: Mr. McLemore shared an in-depth presentation with business opportunities with the Houston Airport System.  He emphasized the Airport’s commitment to working with DBEs and M/W/S/P/DBEs.  He stated that the Airport’s have several upcoming opportunities.  Terminal A Modernization at George Bush International will cost an estimated $244 million.  This project will include upgrading the core building systems, extending the inbound baggage handling service, replacing the gate support equipment, additional bathrooms and restoration of those existing, and to update finishes, furniture, fixtures, and equipment.  He stated that there are three upcoming projects at Hobby Airport.  The first is an $11 million project to rehabilitate and expand the Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF) Station 81.  Second is the demolition of runway 17/35 at $8 million.  Third is the expansion of Southwest Airlines International Gate. 

Keisha Seals, Engineering Manager, City of Sugar Land: Mrs. Seals stated that there are fourteen construction projects for them in FY 2020.  In early 2020 they have the Settlers Park Drainage Improvements with an estimated cost of $6.6 million.  Spring 2020 has a $550,000 Sugar Creek Storm Sewer Pipe Rehabilitation project.  There is a Major Facilities Rehabilitation project in summer 2020 with an estimated cost of $1.2 million.  Fall 2020 will have seven of the projects.  They have four rehabilitation projects: Lift Station, Well, Ground Storage Tank, and Ground Water Plant with all total to $5.2 million.  Late fall will have First Colony Trail for $1.45 million, Ditch H Trail for $6.45 million, and Brazos River Park Road Extension for $3.4 million.  The City of Sugar Land’s fiscal year 2020 construction budget totaling $30.3 million. 

Cliff Brouhard, Assistant Director, Missouri City Public Works: Mr. Brouhard stated that there are nine CIP construction projects in 2020-2021.  The first project mentioned was Veterans Memorial.  This has an estimated cost of $900,000 and phase I is anticipated to bid in April 2020.  Next, the Roadway Corridor Beautification.  This project has an estimated cost of $2.5 million and anticipated bid to be summer 2020 for phase II.  Waterfall Drive Reconstruction is estimated to cost $2.3 million and bid in spring 2020.  Knight Road Extension is anticipated to bid in fall 2020 and cost roughly $7 million.  Sienna Intersection Improvement Project is estimated to cost $5 million with construction planned for 2020.  New Fire Station No. 6 is estimated at $5 million and the Parks Maintenance Facility is estimated to cost $3.5 million with an anticipated bid date in 2021.  Mustang Bayou WWTP Expansion (C-MAR) is estimated to cost $7 million and construction to start in April 2020.  Lastly, Steep Bank Flat Bank Creek WWTP Expansion, which is estimated to cost $8 million and to bid in spring 2020. 

Andrea Brinkley, Assistant Director, Capital Projects, City of Baytown: Mrs. Brinkley shared Baytown’s 2020 construction bid calendar.  In the first-quarter, the 2019 Street Reconstruction Program will be reconstructing Rollingbrook Drive from Spur 330 to Goose Creek Bridge is estimated to cost $1 million and reconstructing both Flamingo Street and Egret Street for an estimated $700,000.  In the second-quarter, the Bayland Island Hotel & Convention Center Utilities project is to design and build underground utilities.  This has an estimated cost of $1.5 million.  The new Animal Shelter and Adoption Facility will replace the old facility.  This will cost $6.6 million.  The scope of the Chambers Commons Utility project will be the Old Needlepoint Lift Station and force main and gravity sewer.  This will cost an estimated $3.7 million.  And lastly for the second-quarter, the Spur 330/Decker Drive/West Baker Road Intersection Improvements project will cost $1 million.  Quarter-three will solely have the $4.4 million rehabilitation of the Goose Creek Lift Station.  The fourth-quarter will again see work for the 2019 Street Reconstruction Program for Narcile, Colby, Edgebrook, and Allenbrook Streets for an estimated $3.9 million.  Main Street and Republic Storm Sewer Project will work on the underground utilities for $1.8 million.  Burkuloo Road, Connally Road, Sjolander Road, and Crosby Cedar Bayou Road will have their utilities serviced for about $8.9 million.  In 2021, Mrs. Brinkley stated that there will be new construction and renovations made to the Bayou Public Safety Building for an estimated $48 million. 

Ross Talbot, Manager, Construction project delivery, Port of Houston Authority: Mr. Talbot highlighted several projects for the Port.  He stated that there will be rehabilitation and repair of Wharf 9 and restoration of the restrooms at the Turning Basin Terminal.  At the Bayport Terminal, there will be the rehabilitation of Wharves four and five, construction of the East End Container Yard, Port Road expansion and drainage work, trench drain repairs, and the construction of the new Wharf-Six.  Barbours Cut Terminal will see the demolition of the cranes at Wharves seven and eight and the construction of a new maintenance facility.  Manchester Terminal will have the rehabilitation and repair of Wharf-2. 

Tim Mills, Director, Universal Accessibility, Houston METRO: In 2019, Houston-area voters approved a $3.5 billion bond issue that will contribute to the $7.5 METRONext Moving Forward Plan.  Mr. Mills shared the details of the plan.  The major investments are 200 miles of two-way HOV lanes, 100 miles of extended LRT lines, 90 miles on new BRT system, and 500 miles of the BOOST network.  Also, there will be fleet and operational investments in 211 new light rail vehicles, 448 new buses, and 33 BOOST corridors.  Mr. Mills emphasized METRO’s commitment to universal accessibility and improved services for all.