The Sims Bayou Federal Flood Damage Reduction Project, a project of the Harris County Flood Control District in partnership with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, includes 19.3 miles of bayou enlargements and environmental enhancements along Sims Bayou from the Houston Ship Channel to Croquet Lane, just west of South Post Oak Road. The project requires the replacement or modification of 22 bridges, 19 of which are complete. As the local sponsor, the Flood Control District has been responsible for property acquisition, utility relocation and the modification/replacement of the bridges that cross Sims Bayou.
The final three road bridges that cross Sims Bayou are being reconstructed at Croquet Lane, Hiram Clarke Road and South Post Oak Road. The bridges are designed to minimize obstruction to the flow of stormwater in Sims Bayou.
The Flood Control District will communicate construction and bridge closure schedules to the media and to the public in advance of each phase of the project. Motorists are encouraged to be alert, to pay attention to all posted street and lane closures and to follow traffic detours in the area.
Construction on the Croquet Bridge began in April 2012 and is anticipated to be complete in fall 2012. While the Croquet Bridge is closed to all through traffic, motorists can detour around via Heatherbrook Drive, Amble Lane and Darlinghurst Drive.
Construction on the Hiram Clarke Bridge began in January 2012. The 14-month project is being carried out in two phases, with the northbound and southbound bridges closing and reopening as construction progresses. During the first construction phase, which began in January 2012, the two-lane northbound road bridge has been closed and all traffic is being detoured to the two-lane southbound bridge. Traffic will continue to run one lane in each direction on the southbound bridge between Tiffany and Simsbrook drives for approximately two more months. During the second and final phase of construction, which is expected to begin in October 2012, the two-lane southbound bridge will be closed and all traffic will detour to the newly-constructed northbound road bridge. Traffic will run one lane in each direction on the northbound bridge for approximately six months.
Construction on the South Post Bridge began in May 2012. The 16-month project is being carried out in two phases, with the northbound and southbound bridges closing and reopening as construction progresses. During the first construction phase, which began in May 2012, the two-lane northbound road bridge has been closed and all traffic is being detoured to the two-lane southbound bridge. Traffic will run one lane in each direction on the southbound bridge between Heatherbrook and Trafalger drives for approximately seven to eight months. During the second and final phase of construction, which is expected to begin in late 2012, the two-lane southbound bridge will be closed and all traffic will detour to the newly-constructed northbound road bridge. Traffic will run one lane in each direction on the northbound bridge for approximately seven to eight months.
