Hillcroft Bridge Construction Update
Hillcroft Bridge Construction Update
Thank you for your interest in the Hillcroft Ave Bridge construction project. To view updates or submit comments about this project, please visit the Project Brays website at https://www.projectbrays.org/all-segments/segment-4/about-hillcroft-ave-bridge/.
This project will raise and modify the existing bridge to have four 11-feet wide lanes, including a left-turn lane, and 10-foot sidewalks on both sides of the bridge. The construction will cost approximately $3.3 million and is anticipated to last at least 3 months with expected completion by end of Summer 2020. For more information and up-to-date progress on this and other projects included in Project Brays, visit www.projectbrays.org.
Project Map
This map outlines the identified project area for the Hillcroft Ave Bridge Resconstruction.
Planned Traffic Detours
This map outlines planned traffic detours designed to accomodate construction around the Hillcroft Ave Bridge along Braeswood Blvd.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Brays Bayou Flood Damage Reduction Project, today known as Project Brays, is a cooperative effort between the Harris County Flood Control District (HCFCD) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers designed to reduce the risk of future flooding. Project Brays consists of more than 75 individual projects throughout Brays Bayou.
When complete, Project Brays is expected to provide a 1% (100-year) level of flood protection west of the Sam Houston Tollway. In areas east of the Sam Houston Tollway, Project Brays is expected to reduce the number of structures at risk from 16,800 to 1,800.
Approximately 32 bridges that span the channel must be modified to accommodate channel widening. Whether a bridge is completely replaced or slightly modified depends on the circumstances surrounding the bridge. The timeframe of construction and when or if a bridge is closed can vary.
The order of the projects has been selected purposefully so the construction does not negatively impact the Brays Bayou watershed.
A stormwater detention basin is an area where excess stormwater is temporarily stored until the water level in the adjacent channel recedes, and the stormwater can safely drain. When full, detention basins often resemble lakes. Four stormwater detention basins are being created for Project Brays and collectively will hold nearly 3.5 billion gallons of stormwater.
Visit the All Segments page under the Construction tab on the Project Brays website to stay updated on the upcoming bridge projects. The page is updated regularly and provides project information for all bridges segments.
To stay up to date on information regarding the Project Brays project:
- Visit the website ProjectBrays.org
- Join the mailing list ProjectBrays.org/Get-the-Updates
- Request a presentation from the Project Brays staff
- Contact us directly at 346-286-4820 or communications@hcfcd.hctx.net
- Attend public meetings or open houses in your area, listed in your community calendar
The current bridge will be demolished and replaced with a higher, longer, and wider bridge. The new bridge will be raised 15in, include four 11ft-wide lanes wide, a left turn lane and 10ft sidewalks on each side. New signal lights will be added at the intersections of North and South Braeswood along with newly restriped lanes to assist with traffic flow.
The Hillcroft Ave Bridge is included in the Project Brays flood reduction program to widen the channel and reduce the risk of flooding. Increasing the capacity of the channel will allow for more floodwaters to flow throughout Brays Bayou into the Houston Ship Channel. Project Brays is a federal and local partnership with the U.S Army Corps of Engineers and is estimated to cost $480 million to complete.
Yes. All bridges reconstructed as part of Project Brays will be in accordance with the Project Brays design. The bridge will incorporate two sets of architectural columns supporting the expanded bridge deck with the street name displayed on the side of the bridge.
Yes. The modified bridge will be higher and longer to allow a larger volume of water to flow more freely under the bridge.
No. This project was initiated to widen the channel and reduce the risk of flooding.
No. Although Project Brays will reduce the risk of flooding along Brays Bayou, the risk of flooding will remain. Harris County Flood Control District (HCFCD) recommends that everyone in Harris County have flood insurance to insure against the possibility of personal and financial loss. Visit ProjectBrays.org to see estimated future flood plains and view the Conditional Letter of Map Revision (CLOMR Map).
Construction is projected to last at least three months, ending in late Summer 2020. However, the bridge will be open to traffic as soon as the construction allows. Construction schedules may be extended due to unplanned events.
In an abundance of caution and in line with other city and county agencies, HCFCD will be hosting a virtual Community Engagement Meeting for this project due heath concerns related to the COVID-19. A recorded version of the meeting will also be available on the project website and the HCFCD YouTube channel.
Please contact Project Brays at 346-286-4820 or communications@hcfcd.hctx.net. You can also visit ProjectBrays.org if you have more concerns or questions.