Two representatives from ESC attended the February Greater Houston Port Bureau Commerce Club Luncheon. The talk was extremely informative, and lunch was delicious.
The talk which was given by Scott Elmer, Interim Deputy Director of Engineering and Construction, Harris County Flood Control District and it was about the HCFCD’s Investigation of Large-diameter Stormwater Tunnels. Mr. Elmer informed us of what the Harris County Flood District’s plans for the county in how they will be addressing our current flooding problems, and their analysis from the first two phases of their current feasibility study. The study identified 8 locations where they will have inlets into the underground tunnel system which most of them will be connect to the Houston Ship Channel where the tunnels will empty. They are beginning the 3rd phase of the study and it will take around three years to complete. They are estimating the cost to be 30 billion dollars at the current inflation rate and cost of supplies for approximately 133 miles of tunnels. Once they have built the 35-foot-tall tunnels they expect their lifespan to be at least 100 years. Houston and Harris County will be joining other Texas cities like Dallas and San Antonio who have or in the process of completing their underground stormwater tunnels.
We hope you can join us next month at the March Commerce Club Luncheon, but if you miss it, we will try to pass on what we learn! 😊