FM 2818 (Harvey Mitchell Parkway) Improvements
FM 2818 (Harvey Mitchell Parkway) Improvements College Station, Texas The FM 2818 (Harvey Mitchell Parkway) project in College Station is a story of innovation, collaboration, and technical excellence. DCCM led the team that worked closely with the City of College Station, TxDOT, Texas A&M University, and Easterwood Airport to address the region’s rapid growth and evolving transportation needs. Our journey began with a comprehensive corridor study and traffic analysis, which revealed that traditional intersection designs would not provide the necessary capacity or operational improvements. In response, we expanded our analysis to include six additional alternatives and ultimately selected an innovative “superstreet” (Restricted Crossing U-turn) design. This approach reduced signal phases at intersections, improved traffic flow, and provided flexibility for future upgrades to a controlled access facility. Our scope included data collection, accident and traffic analysis, environmental documentation, public involvement, identification of right-of-way (ROW) and easements, utility coordination, and topographic surveying. We also managed a team of eight subconsultants for specialized analyses and design tasks. We completed both the schematic and PS&E phases for FM 2818, developing a geometric design schematic from Wellborn Road to F&B Road, and seamlessly transitioning into detailed construction documents. The final schematic design was coordinated with the parallel PS&E design team, enabling construction documents to reach 60% design before schematic finalization. This efficient transition was made possible by keeping most of the same key staff and maintaining a strong project management plan throughout both phases. One of the most significant challenges was the presence of a major underground electric duct bank that conflicted with the proposed curb line and storm sewers. By conducting precise SUE QL-A potholing and collaborating with the city and TxDOT, we developed a solution that allowed the duct bank to remain in place while relocating the storm sewer, avoiding major disruptions and keeping the project on schedule. Another challenge arose when a new overpass at Jones-Butler Road was added late in the design process. Our team quickly adapted, revising schedules and resources to incorporate the new structure without impacting the letting date. Environmental considerations were also paramount. White Creek, which runs parallel to the corridor, required careful coordination to minimize impacts to the floodplain and wetlands. Through detailed grading, innovative barrier design, and close collaboration with regulatory agencies, we kept wetland impacts below permitting thresholds and avoided additional ROW acquisition. The FM 2818 project is now under construction. The result is a safer, more efficient, and future-ready corridor that supports the continued growth of College Station and the surrounding community. Traffic Analysis/Corridor Study Services DCCM performed a corridor study for FM 2818 from George Bush Drive to Wellborn Road. The study examined various alternatives, including many different intersection configurations. Ultimately, the conventional intersection designs failed to provide adequate operations. As a result, the superstreet concept was proposed and evaluated as a potential solution for the corridor. This provided the opportunity to reduce signal phases at intersections while maintaining the flexibility to upgrade the corridor to a controlled-access facility in the future should the need arise. Responsiveness: The original scope included an analysis of three options for access management along the corridor, none of which provided adequate capacity. To keep the project on schedule, the DCCM team worked with the City of College Station and TxDOT to identify and analyze six more options before the change order was processed. The innovative intersection used in the final design was one of these six additional options. Surveying Services During the S&E phase, DCCM provided a comprehensive topographic survey on this City of College Station/TxDOT street design project. The route was a 1.8-mile section of the existing state highway roadway. The extra width of the ROW created an unusually large, 80-acre project area, with several acres of native trees and brush. Using baseline survey points and information from the early 1970s, the ROW lines were accurately fitted to the topographic survey. Additionally, Baseline | DCCM had surveyed utility easements along the highway over 15 years prior, before any of the adjoining apartment complexes were developed. Schematic Design Services DCCM developed a geometric design schematic for FM 2818 from Wellborn Road to George Bush Drive. The project scope included conceptual and schematic design, data collection, accident and traffic analysis, conceptual design, schematic design, environmental documentation, public involvement, ROW/easement identification, utility coordination, project management, and topographic surveying. The initial scope included analyzing three design-year alternatives, developing a conceptual schematic for each, and developing the selected alternative through schematic design. Based on the results of the traffic analysis/conceptual design and meetings with City of College Station and TxDOT staff, it was determined that the three design-year alternatives would not adequately address growth issues along the project corridor; therefore, six additional alternatives were analyzed. Based on the traffic analysis and input from the City and TxDOT, a “super street” option was selected and developed through schematic design. SUE Services Under the SUE department’s TxDOT contract, the Bryan District requested that SUE QL-B designation be performed for their 3.2-mile FM 2818 Improvement project. More than 265,000 linear feet of utilities were identified on the project, resulting in a utility map that revealed numerous critical conflicts with the proposed roadway improvements. The designers and utility coordinators asked for 24 SUE QL-A test holes. All test holes were completed, the SUE QL-B designation and the conflicts it revealed were validated, and the designation was assigned. An additional SUE QL-B was requested for the downside streets to fully understand the utility impact. This project faced challenges, including complex traffic control and Texas A&M mowing the TxDOT ROW before each home football game. It was critical to complete the survey work each week before the Friday afternoon mowers arrived. At a Glance 40% Reduction in Corridor Travel Times $57.6 million Construction Cost Markets Transportation Environmental Services Transportation Surveying Utilities
