Skip to main content

Houston bridge project, construction paused

Work is being paused on the construction of the new Ship Channel Bridge replacement project close to Houston, Texas.
By MJ Woof January 20, 2020 Read time: 1 min
Construction of the pylons for Houston’s Ship Channel Bridge is being paused for redesign work to be carried out, though other portions of the link are still being built: Image © courtesy of Harris County Toll Road Authority

The Harris County Toll Road Authority (HCTRA) is pausing work to build the main pylons for the cable-stayed portion of the new Sam Houston Tollway Ship Channel Bridge. This will give time to review the design of the section of bridge being constructed at present. The consulting and engineering firm COWI identified an issue related to the design of the curved portions of the pylon legs. Pausing the construction will provide time for the engineer of record (FIGG) to design a solution. This will then be reviewed by COWI. When COWI and FIGG agree on the design changes, construction work for the pylons will be able to resume.

However, work will continue for other sections of the project, such as the approaches.

Related Content

  • Second Danube bridge construction approved
    May 15, 2012
    Official approval is now being given for changes to the agreement between the Bulgarian authorities and the European Investment Bank (EIB) for the second Danube bridge project. So far the EIB is providing €50 million, with €5 million having already been used. The Bulgarian authorities are agreeing to accept a shorter loan period of 14.5 years rather than the 17-year term originally agreed with the EIB.
  • First deck span completed for Mersey Gateway's north approach viaduct
    April 4, 2016
    The Mersey Gateway Project achieved another milestone as the first deck span for the elevated north approach viaduct was completed. Work started on site in May 2014 to build a six-lane toll bridge over the Mersey River between the towns of Runcorn and Widnes and opening is set for the autumn of 2017. As well as construction of the new bridge, works include the upgrading of 7km of highway to the north and south of the river - the main bridge is 2.2km long – and changing traffic flow so the majority of tra
  • Learning from Russia's controversial road project
    February 9, 2012
    The International Road Federation (IRF), founded in 1948, is the only world forum advocating better and safer roads through better road design and construction bearing in mind the user. It is a unique institution that brings together members active in road infrastructure from both the private and public sectors. The IRF promotes roads that are safe, economically viable and ecologically friendly. The IRF believes that a sound road infrastructure brings prosperity, fights poverty, furthers education and gi
  • TRL delivers its vision
    July 31, 2012
    The UK's world-renowned TRL (Transport Research Laboratory) is celebrating its 75th birthday this year, and the objective of its work has not changed In 1938 Richard Stradling, director, wrote that "the objective of all the research work at RRL [now TRL] is to accumulate that body of scientific knowledge which is an essential factor in the economical and efficient construction and maintenance of our roads. Practical application of the results must be the aim throughout." While TRL's remit today is far more