Houston METRO-Uptown Development Authority-Harris County Improvement District / Dedicated Bus Lanes

Houston METRO-Uptown Development Authority-Harris County Improvement District / Dedicated Bus Lanes

Project Overview

The Uptown Development Authority (UDA) of the Harris County Improvement District developed transit enhancements in the Uptown Houston area including planned Dedicated Bus Lanes. The ultimate transit enhancements facilitated by a bus route dedicated to travel between the existing Houston METRO Northwest Transit Center and a new Uptown Transit Center (UTC) to be located on the south side of Westpark. In 2015, Envision assumed this assignment through a Transition Plan and is assisting FTA Region VI with the oversight of this first time Grant recipient.

Envision provided services related to three distinct roadway sections along Post Oak Boulevard integrating:

• a new dedicated bus lane in each direction
• new multi-functional bus stops with integrated real-time communications
• significant underground drainage improvements
• new pedestrian features, including new pedestrian lighting and patterned, aesthetic walkways
• new ADA provisions; and integrated landscaping scheme featuring over 600 specialty oak trees and other vegetation; and the repositioning of six sets of Houston’s stainless-steel arches traversing the new widened corridor

Envision assisted with the identification of over 600 utility conflicts and numerous other risks. These risks have been carefully managed, yielding most to be avoided, eliminating numerous project issues. The Team has also carefully driven the importance of a tight, multi-segmented project schedule and Master Schedule. Cost control has also been a major focus for the Team on this improvement.

Project Information

Owner Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Region VI / Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County (METRO
Project Start September 2015
Project End July 2020
Project Cost $232M
Envision’s Role
  • PMO services
  • Scope Review
  • Cost Review
  • Schedule Review
  • Risk Review
  • Buy America Review