IMPORTANT/ Larchmont Freeway Sound Wall Reconstruction/ Timeline moved forward

Stacey Spencer distributed this update on 5/5/18 via the Google Groups "Larchmont" group.

To all Larchmont,

This last week, we received notification that the Larchmont Sound Wall section of the IH 610/ IH 69 Freeway project was pushed forward by 2 months. We could not schedule a meeting with TxDOT until yesterday, late Friday afternoon to get the details of the sound wall project and what to expect. Mike Lammers and myself were in attendance and we both took notes. Below are our combined notes of the meeting, detailing what to expect/ next steps moving forward. Everyone in our neighborhood should read these meeting notes. I have included a pdf file of the same information.

If you have any questions pertaining to these notes that are constructive, please reply to the group so we may find answers. Please exercise constraint if you have negative comments. If you want to ask me any questions, please feel free to call or email. Or if you want to contact TxDOT, please call Danny Perez at (713) 802-5077 or at danny.perez@txdot.gov .

Sound Wall Reconstruction Meeting with Larchmont & TxDOT, May 4, 2018

 

Attendees: 

            Larchmont:      Mike Lammers & Stacey Spencer

            TxDOT:            Frank Leong – West Harris Area

                                    Alex Alvarado – Project Manager

                                    Danny Perez – Public Affairs Liason

                                    Paul Eley

Job Scope, Time Frame and Work Hours: Tear down and reconstruction of the Larchmont Sound Wall facing US 59 (IH-69)

  • Start date of sound wall project: 5/14/2018 (Installation of temporary fencing) which is much sooner than anticipated. Construction during the dryer months of the year could aid in fewer construction days.

  • Sound Wall Project Duration: 4 – 6 Months (includes all projected delays)

  • Construction hours and days: 7 Days a week from Sunrise to Sunset

Construction Stages:

The following is a list of the stages of the sound wall replacement and best scenario time frames:

  • Erecting temporary fencing: along the TxDOT Right Of Way 

    • 1 week

  • Demolition of the Sound Wall: Will knock down wall with 3 to 4 track hoes and move material offsite in dump trucks for processing.

    • 2 weeks                                               

  • Drilling shafts for new columns: Using a drilling rig and slurry tank,  drill 130+ shafts drilled at 36” depth. Will drill every 3rd or 4th shaft and move back and forth across the length of the wall until complete. 

    • 1 month

  • Column installation: Utilizing a crane

    • 2 weeks                       

  • Concrete Panels being installed: Utilizing a crane      

    • 2 weeks     

  • Causes/ conditions that influence the schedule

    • Rain delays

    • unknown/ unmapped utilities and structures

    • problem soil conditions

    • equipment failure

  • The stage with the most unpredictable time frame/ length is the drilling of the shafts for the new columns. Could drill 15 shafts in a day or 0.

  • Tear down of the existing sound wall will occur all at one time. The project will likely start on at the S. Rice section of the wall but this could change. 

  • It is highly unlikely there be utility disruptions but possible they could occur.

  • Equipment will be stored on the TxDOT easement just south of 5300 & 5400 Windswept North of the current wall and South of the chain link fencing.  

  • There will be no construction vehicle traffic in Larchmont. 

Security:

  • Fencing

    • 6 foot temporary fence will be installed. It will follow the Right of Way stakes that are in place now. It will start at the S. Rice wall and run down Windswept and will turn North on to Barrington and connecting at the TxDOT chain link fencing behind homes of 5500 Pagewood. The existing TxDOT chain link fencing behind Pagewood will serve as the security perimeter fencing. And there will also be additional chain link fencing installed at the west end of the 5500 of Pagewood TxDOT chain link and it will extend to the Chimney Rock Wall.

  • It has been requested again that a taller fence be installed and/ or barbed wired or razor wire be installed on top of that. TxDOT will consider several possible option if the fence proves to be inadequate.

  • Alter the fencing (height or additions of barbed wire)

  • Perimeter lighting

  • It was requested again to install scrim (mesh screening) on the Windswept side of the fence for privacy purposes. TxDOT said they would investigate pricing and get back with us.

  • The fencing on Windswept (at Yorktown) that will cross the swail will be constructed in a manner that will cover any potential gapping between the fence and the bottom of the swail. 

  • Law Enforcement

    • TxDOT stated that they wanted to confer and discuss the project with HPD. We had made contact with HPD at the Citizen’s Patrol Certification class earlier in the week and requested consideration of additional security presence during this stage of the  project. HPD Lt Orla Chandler will consult with her Captain. HPD will consult with TxDOT and coordinate activities. We have provided TxDOT with Lt. Chandler’s contact information. Lt. Chandler will also receive the contact information for Danny Perez and Paul Eley of TxDOT along with this update. 

    • Williams Brothers Contracting will also taking security measures to guard their machinery while on site.

    • Additional security may be available from the Precinct 5 Constable Office. We were instructed to contact the County Commissioners office for help. TxDOT will follow up as well.

Larchmont Green (Windswept & Barrington):

  • Stakes with the letter ROH mark the TxDOT right of way and denote where the chain link fence will be placed on the Green.

  • Stakes marking the New Sound Wall location will be marked by the contractor. Any trees that would interfere with construction or would die due to the construction process will be removed. Residents are allowed to remove small trees and shrubs that are South of the stakes denoting the Sound Wall location. This must be completed prior to the tear down of the wall.

  • The concrete benches on the Larchmont Green will be moved by the contractor for safe keeping while work is being completed.

  • The decorative bridge on the Larchmont Green will be removed and it has been requested that the low lying area be filled and made level with the surrounding grade.

  • The Larchmont Green Space on Windswept will be restored at projects end. This will include leveling of dirt and sod installation.

Pagewood TxDOT Alley and Utility Easement:

  • The TxDOT Alley/ utility alley behind 5500 block of Pagewood will be cleared of all debris. Please do not dump anything into that space because TxDOT could fine you if it is determined that it came from your property. 

  • It was requested that gates leading into the alley on both sides of Pagewood be replaced due to condition. TxDOT agreed to evaluate the gates condition.

  • The easement behind the 5500 Pagewood sound wall also be improved with riprap. No new chain link fencing will be installed (street, gates, fence, drains, etc…)?

    Drainage improvements  

  • New storm sewers to detention ponds going in about the same time as wall.  

  • Pump stations under construction, at least foundations and ground infrastructure.  Pumping equipment is future work. 
  • Detention ponds will be deepened by contractor as they need fill for other parts of project.  

Misc

  • Overall theme was that this is a very good contractor, well understood, and they go fast.  
  • TxDOT believes security problems will not materialize but want to know about individual issues quickly.  Paul and Alex are driving the project daily.  
  • Danny was complimentary of all the resident inquiries he has received, very friendly and courteous.

The Larchmont Civic Association thanks these businesses for their support!