East End Houston, Texas

The Metro Light Rail Project for the east corridor consists of providing Light Rail Transit on three segments of East Corridor. The segments consist of At-Grade and Grade Separated Light Rail Transit, roadway improvement, Private and Public Utility Relocations, Alignment modifications to minimize ROW acquisition and provision of at grade Stations and Storage facilities.

The limit of the first region is 0.75 mile and consists of 0.32 mile of Texas Ave. and 0.43 mile of LRT Bridge over the UPRR tracks. LRT continues on Texas Avenue from the first segment from Chartres Ave. to Live Oak Street that is two blocks west of Dowling Street and then is connected to the southeast Corridor at Live Oak. The 0.43 mile LRT Bridge takes off at Dowling Street and terminates on Harrisburg Street just east of Velasco Street. This segment consists of a Guideway provision, Roadway improvement, utility relocation and an event platform for the future Soccer Stadium west of Dowling Street.

The limit of the second region is 2.80 mile of LRT on Harrisburg from West of Velasco Street to 71st Street at Magnolia Transfer Station. This Corridor segment includes 0.35 mile of an overpass for the LRT guideway over Southern Pacific Railroad. The improvement s and addition consists of a LRT Guideway provision, Improved Roadway Alignment to accommodate minimum ROW acquisitions, Roadway improvement, Public and Private Utility relocation and public Station platforms.

First Bridge was over UPPR, 15 span, 1800 feet long with a special 3 long span trapezoidal steel units spanning 675foot on a horizontal and vertical curve. Structural Rail interactions models were performed as well as frequency calculations to meet the criterias. A 3D dynamic analysis was performed with all different load combinations and member sizes including rail loading, breaking forces and live loads. Combined special footings were designed to adhere to tight ROW limitations and avoid conflicts with large diameter public utilities.