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The Vogel Creek Conveyance Improvement Project
Frequently Asked Questions - Construction
Q: When will construction start?
Construction started the second week of May 2006.
Q: How long will construction take?
The construction contract provides 300 "working days" to complete the project. This typically means about 30 months of construction activity, depending upon weather.
Q: What is a Working Day?
A "working day" is a calendar day, not including Saturdays, Sundays and County holidays, in which weather or other conditions not under the control of the Contractor allow performance of work on a project for a continuous period of not less than 7 hours between 7:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. The contractor cannot perform any work on non-work days without the District's approval.
Q: Where will construction crews start work?
Construction crews have been at work since May 2006, and many phases of the project are already complete. For the most comprehensive look at where crews are currently working, and where they will soon begin work, click on the link below to view the November 2007 Vogel Creek Construction Schedule of Work Activitiy.
> See construction schedule of work activity (4Q 2007)
(PDF, 136 KB, 10/15/2007)
Q: Won't the increased amount of water into Vogel Creek result in flooding downstream? Is mitigation and stormwater detention being considered?
Fortunately, the groundwork was laid to mitigate improvements to the Vogel Creek channel. The stormwater detention basin (E500-06-00) located between White Oak Bayou and West Little York just east of Vogel Creek provides the necessary stormwater detention storage volume to offset or mitigate any increases in flood levels that would otherwise occur. Construction on this detention basin was completed in 1999.
Q: How does the Vogel Creek Project affect me?
This project reduces the risk of flooding from Vogel Creek by allowing more stormwater to flow within the channel. With this increased channel capacity, in conjunction with the storage provided by the stormwater detention basin located along White Oak Bayou near West Little York, the risk of flooding from Vogel Creek will be reduced and not moved somewhere else.
Residents should expect some construction inconveniences. During construction, crews utilizing heavy machinery will be working in the channel and on property owned by the District. Some construction noise and dust can be expected, although all applicable environmental standards will be met. At various times, some roads will be detoured during bridge replacements. Heavy truck traffic can be expected for hauling the excavated materials for disposal. Generally, construction on a project of this magnitude can take approximately 30 months, depending on the weather.
Q: The bridge at Victory Drive looks like it is going to be a bottleneck. Is it?
No. This section is designed to carry the same stormwater flow as the rest of the channel. The modifications to Vogel Creek will gradually transition to a channel with vertical, concrete walls on both sides and concrete bottom under Victory Drive. By doing this, the velocity will be increased and the same flow will be carried through this area.
Q: Which bridges will be replaced and when?
The project plan is to replace four roadway bridges – West Little York, Long Creek, Maple Tree and Arncliffe.
The District is responsible for the replacement of the Long Creek, Maple Tree, and Arncliffe bridges. The City of Houston will manage the West Little York bridge replacement.
Construction of the Maple Tree Drive bridge was complete in late March, and the bridge has since been reopened to the public. As of early July, the West Little York Bridge was open to traffic by the City. Currently, the bridge at Long Creek Lane is under construction with estimated completion in December 2007. The work on the Arncliffe Drive Bridge will not begin until Long Creek Lane Bridge has been put back into service.
Q: Residents in the area have expressed interest in closing Arncliffe. Will the Arncliffe Bridge over Vogel Creek be rebuilt?
No. Pursuant to approval from the City of Houston, the District has removed the bridge replacement from the construction plans and will construct a cul-de-sac on Arncliffe on the west side of Vogel Creek.
Q: Will new trees be planted along the "new" bank? What is happening to the old trees?
Trees within the excavation zone will be removed. Trees not within the excavation area along Vogel Creek will be protected. After construction is complete, additional trees will be planted within the new channel and along the new banks. The tree planting program will be developed by the District's Environmental Services Department prior to completion of the construction project.
Q: What will happen to the old pecan tree in Inwood Forest?
Area residents have identified a pecan tree in Inwood Forest that is listed on page 43 of the Park People's Harris County Tree Registry, 4th edition. The channel modifications will be close to the root zone of this particular pecan tree, located near Bent Bough Lane. The District is protecting this tree by constructing a steel sheet pile wall, which is included in the construction contractor's scope of work.
Maintenance of the tree is the responsibility of the property owner and not the District.
Q: Who will maintain the area once grass begins to grow?
The District's Infrastructure Division is responsible for the establishment and maintenance of all vegetation. Once the construction project is complete and the vegetation has been re-established, the property will once again be added to our inventory of property, and regular maintenance will be scheduled. The District focuses the mowing efforts in three annual mowing cycles. These three annual cycles commence in April, again in July, and are completed with the final cycle that starts in October.
Q: Are you still buying property in the Arbor Oaks subdivision?
Yes, as funds allow. Please call (713) 684-4020 or (713) 684-4035 for more information.
Q: I would like for someone from the Flood Control District to come to our neighborhood meeting to talk about the Vogel Creek project. Whom do I contact?
You may contact the Vogel Creek team via e-mail, or call the District’s Operations Division Information Officer at 713-684-4000.
Q: Who do I call if I have a question, concern or complaint about the construction?
The District is the manager of this construction project and oversees all the work of our contractor. Please contact the Vogel Creek Construction Inspector at (713) 684-4000.
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Vogel Creek Conveyance Improvement Project
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