ACEC Houston

05/29/2026

05/28/2026

A warm welcome to our new ACEC member firms: ABCO Products Inc. and Fisher Associates. We look forward to working with you to improve the business environment for engineering and design infrastructure for the health, safety, and welfare of the community.

05/28/2026

Speaking during the International Conference on Coastal Engineering in Galveston last week, Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham and Gulf Coast Protection District Executive Director Coalter Baker defended the pace of the Coastal Texas Project, arguing the region’s complex engineering, environmental and economic realities require caution as federal funding slowly ramps up.

The state has put in over $500 million to the project,” Buckingham said. “The feds are just now starting to chip in money.” Recent federal appropriations are helping advance the project through its preconstruction engineering and design phase, officials said. Baker described that phase as a critical milestone in moving the project closer to eventual construction.

Supporters of long-discussed coastal barrier system acknowledge the massive storm surge protection system — commonly referred to as the Ike D**e — remains years, and likely decades, away from full

05/21/2026

We take Public Works Week as an opportunity to thank agencies and departments for our ongoing partnerships focused on providing the best infrastructure possible to the citizens in the Houston region. Providing sufficient, high-quality, well-maintained infrastructure in a timely manner is key to the health, safety, and quality of life of communities and addressing future growth.
, , ; Houston Public Works; Harris County Engineering Department

05/19/2026

The Texas Transportation Commission recently approved a $1.47 billion design-build contract for the State Highway 99 Grand Parkway Segment B-1 in Brazoria and Galveston counties. The final award and ex*****on is expected this summer, with a projected overall completion date of late 2031 or 2032. The project is approximately 15 miles in length and will provide important connectivity and serve as an emergency evacuation route.

The 15-mile stretch is inching closer to construction.

05/19/2026

Bellaire officially broke ground Monday on the long-awaited Cypress Ditch flood control project, a major construction effort aimed at reducing repeated flooding in southwest Houston neighborhoods.
Crews will widen and reconstruct the existing drainage channel from South Rice to Brays Bayou, increasing stormwater capacity by about 60%. The project has been years in the making, involving extensive planning and funding talks before finally reaching this milestone.

Bellaire officially broke ground on the Cypress Ditch flood control project, a long-awaited effort to widen and reconstruct a drainage channel

05/18/2026

Texas is home to the most bridges in the nation, and according to transportation officials, the vast majority are in remarkably good condition. Jessica Butler, safety operations senior director with the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), said "Texas has almost 57,000 bridges, which is the largest bridge inventory of any state in the nation and more than double the size of the next largest state's." A small number—less than one percent—of Texas bridges are in poor condition. The number is notable considering the state's rapid population growth and, subsequently, increased traffic.

Texas has nearly 57,000 bridges statewide. Officials just released a new condition report.

05/18/2026

Houston Public Works

05/18/2026

We always appreciate Dr. Tina Petersen taking time to discuss current projects and plans for the Harris County Flood Control District. She gave a thorough update on its progress and the work ahead and reminded us of the importance of working together, focusing on providing our best efforts in a timely manner to move this vital work forward.

Also, thanks to her team for joining us - Elijah J. Williams, Emily Woodell, and Scott Elmer. The time spent with our members is valuable to our ongoing partnership.

05/14/2026

Thanks to all of the elected officials and our Government Affairs Committee members for joining us at our annual appreciation reception. It is great to get together to enjoy each other's company and celebrate working together. We are looking forward to another year of successes and new challenges!