Project Details
| Description | Transportation Water Resources Drainage Design |
| Location | Bexar County, TX |
| Client | HDR |
| Owner | Texas Department of Transportation, San Antonio District |
Loop 1604/U.S. 281 Interchange
RS&H completed plans, specifications, and estimates (PS&E) to upgrade the existing Loop 1604/U.S. 281 three-level interchange to a fully directional, five-level interchange, which included direct connectors, roadway widening, and reconstruction in San Antonio, Texas. Reconstruction of the interchange will increase mobility for the traveling public in one of the most accelerated growth areas in the state.
RS&H provided drainage design for the interchange, as well as for two miles of urban freeway reconstruction and four miles of new urban freeway. The team performed a comprehensive drainage analysis of all stream crossings at 11 locations, several of which were bridge class facilities. RS&H also provided 1.25 miles of urban freeway design, including frontage roads and ramp design, and two complete bridge designs (one widening and one replacement). Additionally, the layout included approximately 7,100 linear feet of retaining walls encompassing several wall types (MSE, drilled shaft, and soil).
While a project of this magnitude typically requires up to three years for design, this project was on a fast-tracked, 13-month design schedule. Therefore, RS&H, along with other team members, staffed a project office in San Antonio to accelerate coordination efforts with the various design disciplines. The design team also included an out-of-town staff of 11 engineers and technicians. It was also recognized that coordination would continue to be of utmost importance, especially after the design was 30 percent complete and all personnel across the team returned to their original offices. In order to ease these coordination efforts, the project team incorporated the ProjectWise file management system into the design process at the beginning of the project. This system allowed project records and files to be maintained between several offices located in Houston, San Antonio, Austin, Salt Lake City, Omaha, Chicago, Pittsburgh, and New York City.
In 2005, the project was successfully designed to completion on schedule, as well as under budget.
