SIMS 05-0004
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
AUGUST 21, 2013
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Kim Jackson, Harris County Flood Control District Communications
713-582-5124
kimberlye.jackson@hcfcd.org
FINAL PHASE OF CONSTRUCTION BEGINS ON S. POST OAK ROAD BRIDGE
Construction of the northbound bridge complete
HOUSTON – Tomorrow, Thursday Aug. 22, the Harris County Flood Control District plans to close the two-lane
southbound bridge that crosses Sims Bayou at S. Post Oak Road, between Heatherbrook Drive and Trafalgar Drive, for
approximately five months.
Southbound traffic will detour to the newly-constructed two-lane northbound bridge that crosses Sims Bayou at S. Post
Oak, which will run one lane in each direction while the southbound bridge is under construction. (See attached map.)
Please note: Road closures and construction schedules are subject to change. The Flood Control District will notify the
public if there are modifications to this schedule.
The S. Post Oak bridge (northbound and southbound) is being reconstructed in two phases as part of a federal flood
damage reduction project to widen and deepen Sims Bayou. The first phase of construction (from April 2012 through
August 2013) replaced the two-lane northbound bridge. The southbound bridge will be replaced during this second and
final phase of construction.
The Flood Control District will communicate construction and bridge closure schedules to the media and to the public in
advance of each phase of the project. Motorists are encouraged to be alert, to pay attention to all posted street and
lane closures and to follow traffic detours in the area.
For more information on the Sims Bayou bridge projects, including details on lane closures, major traffic switches, local
detours, the anticipated schedule for construction on the remaining bridges, and the opportunity to sign up to receive
regular e-mail updates, please visit the Sims Bayou Roadway Bridge Construction webpage at
www.hcfcd.org/simsbridges or call the Sims Bayou Bridge Construction Information Line at (713) 684-4107.
In addition to finishing the first phase of construction on the S. Post Oak bridge project, the Flood Control District
recently completed construction (that began in April 2012) on the Croquet Lane Bridge that crosses Sims Bayou, just
west of South Post Oak Road, and reopened the bridge to traffic. The Flood Control District appreciates the
community’s patience during the bridge closure project and regrets any inconvenience caused to residents, business
owners and motorists in the area.
With the completion of the Croquet bridge, only two bridges that cross Sims Bayou remain under construction.
Construction on the Hiram Clarke Road Bridge is expected to be complete in September 2013, and construction on the
South Post Oak Road Bridge is expected to be complete in December 2013.
The bridge replacement projects are part of the $399 million Sims Bayou Federal Flood Damage Reduction Project. The
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is the lead agency on this project, which includes the widening and deepening of 19.3
Harris County Flood Control District | 9900 Northwest Freeway | Houston, Texas 77092 | 713-684-4000 | HCFCD.org
miles of Sims Bayou and adding environmental enhancements from the Houston Ship Channel to Croquet Lane, just
west of South Post Oak Road. The project is supplemented by three stormwater detention basins that were excavated
by the Flood Control District using local funds. The project also consists of the modification/replacement of 22 bridges,
of which 20 are now complete.
This project launched construction in 1990 and is scheduled for completion in 2013. From the onset of this project, the
Flood Control District, as the local sponsor, has been responsible for property acquisition, utility relocation and the
modification/replacement of the bridges that cross Sims Bayou.
Upon the completion of the Sims Bayou Federal Flood Damage Reduction Project, the 1 percent (100-year) floodplain
will be removed from approximately 35,000 homes and 2,000 commercial structures, meaning flooding risks will be
greatly reduced for citizens residing in neighborhoods adjacent to Sims Bayou. For more information on this project and
its benefits to the community, please visit the Flood Control District's website at www.hcfcd.org.
About the Harris County Flood Control District
The Harris County Flood Control District provides projects that reduce flooding risks and damages, with appropriate
regard for community and natural values. With more than 1,500 bayous and creeks totaling approximately 2,500 miles
in length, the Flood Control District accomplishes its mission by devising flood damage reduction plans, implementing
the plans and maintaining the infrastructure. To learn more about the Flood Control District, visit www.hcfcd.org.
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Map Caption:
S. Post Oak Road - Phase 2 Traffic Control Plan Map.jpg:
On Aug. 22, the Harris County Flood Control District will begin the second phase of construction of the S. Post Oak bridge
over Sims Bayou. The map illustrates the Phase 2 traffic plan. During construction, the two-lane southbound bridge will
be closed and traffic will detour to the newly-constructed northbound bridge. Traffic will run one lane in each direction
on the northbound bridge for approximately five months.
Harris County Flood Control District | 9900 Northwest Freeway | Houston, Texas 77092 | 713-684-4000 | HCFCD.org
is now ope
advised that
n, but motorists are
Harris County Flood Control District | 9900 Northwest Freeway | Houston, Texas 77092 | 713-684-4000 | HCFCD.org