WHO: City of Laredo Mayor Raul G. Salinas, Council Member Juan Chavez, District VII; Community Development
Staff

WHAT: Bristol Road Culvert Improvements ribbon-cutting ceremony

WHEN & Friday, April 4, 2008 10:00 a.m.
WHERE: 200 block of Bristol Road

WHY: Last week, the City of Laredo celebrated National Community Development Week by hosting several activities that featured projects funded by the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development. The Bristol Road Culvert Improvement Ceremony was scheduled to culminate the week; however, unforeseen delays forced City organizers to postpone the event until now.

Due to the inadequate storm water carrying capacity of the previously installed crossing on Bristol Road, plans were developed to increase the capacity of the crossing to prevent flooding and to reduce the threat to human health and safety.  Of major concern was the inability of emergency vehicles to access neighborhoods under flooding conditions.   

The improvements increased the water carrying capacity by three fold.  Originally there were only two 30-inch pipes and two 4- inch pipes, which have now been replaced with five 6’ x 4’ box culverts. Prior pipe crossing configuration was designed to handle a maximum 5-year storm frequency event.  The current design can handle a 25-year and 50-year storm event under pressure conditions.
 
Sanitary sewer improvements included the installation of three 15-inch PVC pipes, added to increase capacity.  Other improvements included the construction of sidewalks and installation of hand railing for improved pedestrian accessibility.  Additional retaining walls and channel section improvements with concrete drop structures were also added to manage and expand the flow characteristics of the channel.

The bridge will continue to act as a low water crossing under extreme rain events to protect against storm water runoff.

The total project cost is $354,000. This project is funded with Community Development Block Grant funds provided by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Construction: SER Construction Partners, Ltd.
Engineering: Puig Engineering, LLC