When Hurricane Harvey made landfall in August 2017, it caused unprecedented flooding in Texas. In the aftermath, Aranas County in Texas chose Hanson to provide emergency relief services.
The project involved the immediate design of the reconstruction and realignment of Banty Lane, within the county’s right-of-way. The primary objectives were to enhance roadway geometry, provide stormwater management systems to prevent additional flooding and restore safe access.
Surveying, modeling and design
Hanson’s team conducted topographic surveying, boundary research, hydrologic and hydraulic modeling and full design development for roadway and drainage improvements. The team also delivered specifications and bid documents and supported the county through construction contract administration and observation.
The topographic survey rapidly documented site conditions prior to reconstruction, including the locations of utilities, roadways, driveways and drainage structures. This survey was critical for informing the subsequent design and analysis phases, enabling expedited planning and implementation of repairs to restore roadway integrity and drainage capacity.
Hanson also performed boundary research to review existing plats and property records for a better understanding of the limits of the right-of-way and adjacent parcels. While this phase did not include field verification of property corners, it provided critical context for design alignment and coordination.
Using available topographic data and existing hydrologic models, the project team delineated watershed boundaries and sub-basins to assess stormwater runoff patterns. Hydraulic modeling was performed to evaluate the required conveyance and develop recommendations for drainage improvements along and across the roadway.
Design services included the preparation of preliminary and final construction plans and specifications for the roadway and drainage improvements, as well as an engineer’s opinion of probable construction cost. A complete bid package, including all the state and federal grant project requirements, was assembled to support contractor procurement through a public bidding process, including necessary documentation and technical requirements.
Construction services
During the construction phase, which took place during COVID-19 shutdowns, the team provided ongoing support to the county. Services included periodic site visits, review of contractor submittals, evaluation of field changes and change orders, and review and approval of pay estimates. Hanson conducted a substantial completion walkthrough, followed by a formal recommendation for project acceptance.
Finally, the project team specified and performed all required field testing and inspections — both interim and final — to comply with the county’s design standards and construction quality expectations.
This disaster recovery effort demonstrates Hanson’s ability to respond rapidly to infrastructure needs, coordinate with local, state and federal agencies and deliver resilient, community-focused solutions.
