HOUSTON, TX — The Walnut Bend Roadway Reconstruction project in the Westchase District has been named the winner of the 2024 American Society of Highway Engineers - Houston (ASHE-Houston) Outstanding Highway Engineering/Project of the Year Award for Category A: Projects $20 Million or Less. The project will also be recommended to ASHE National for consideration for the National Project of the Year award.
The award recognizes the collaborative efforts of the project owner, Westchase District; designer, Lockwood, Andrews & Newnam, Inc. (LAN); and Harper Brothers Construction, who received plaques to commemorate their achievements at the ASHE Houston Chapter Gala. Irma Sanchez, President of the Westchase District, represented her organization, and Mark Woodward, Senior Project Manager, represented LAN’s Municipal Practice, which designed the reconstruction and improvements.
“This project exemplifies the value of strategic infrastructure investment to enhance mobility and connectivity in urban environments,” Woodward said. “We are proud to have played a role in delivering a project that contributes to the vibrancy of the Westchase District, which is home to our headquarters.”
LAN provided design services for the reconstruction of 6,300 linear feet of roadway to improve mobility and support redevelopment within an urban environment. As the first major project of the Westchase District’s 380 Program, the Walnut Bend project incorporated several critical improvements, including:
- Full roadway reconstruction and drainage enhancements
- Wider sidewalks, pedestrian lighting, and an increased tree canopy to encourage pedestrian activity
- On-road dedicated bike lanes
- Upgraded METRO bus stops and shelters
- Traffic operation improvements, including signing and striping
- Replacement of aging public utilities
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The project, funded by the Federal Highway Administration, required coordination with multiple agencies, including the Texas Department of Transportation, METRO, and the City of Houston, ensuring compliance with federal and local regulations.
