Texas Department of Transportation Texas Department of Transportation

JFK Causeway Project Environmental Update Volume 27 July 2004

Construction Underway on Project to Raise the Elevation of the JFK Causeway

Construction has begun on the project to raise the elevation of the JFK Causeway. In addition to the safety and hurricane evacuation aspects of the project, there are several environmental benefits that the project will provide. Some of these include the construction of a new bridge and removal of existing fill material to provide additional water circulation in the Laguna Madre, creation of additional bay bottom and seagrass habitat, and permanent water quality improvement measures. Due to the project’s location in this unique and sensitive environment, an environmental inspector has been added to the project inspection team to help ensure that all the environmental commitments are met. This newsletter provides information from the environmental inspector regarding these commitments.

JFK Project Environmental Update JFK Project Environmental Update July 5, 2004 July 12, 2004

• The contractor (ZCC) continues to connect • The contractor (ZCC) continues to connect the raised section of roadway at both its the raised section of roadway at both its ends (east of Humble Channel Bridge and at ends (east of Humble Channel Bridge and the GIWW bridge). at the GIWW bridge). Tri-Con continues to form and cast railing • Tri-Con continues to form and cast railing on • the West Bridge. on the West Bridge. • The contractor continues to work on the • The contractor continues to work on the turnaround at Flour Bluff. The turnaround turnaround at Flour Bluff. The turnaround would be for traffic to travel under the new would be for traffic to travel under the new

West Bridge. West Bridge. • Contractor continues to cast the light • The contractor has set a beam atop the footings for Wall D. sign columns, which is over the West • The contractor continues to install the Bridge. floating silt curtain along the south-side of • The contractor continues to install the project (parallel to the West Bridge). interlocking blocks at the west end of The floating silt curtain is to protect the GIWW side slopes. water during excavation of the old fill • Several Sea Skimmer chicks have causeway. hatched. Their new nesting island is • The contractor is installing interlock blocks located at the north side of the project. at the west end of GIWW side slopes. • An injured Gull was found along PR 22 • Contractor is installing coping atop Wall J and a bird rescue center was notified. The (Wall J is along the south side of PR 22 on Gull was captured and removed from the Flour Bluff and in front of Laguna Shores site by ARK. Dr.). • Contractor has made minor repairs to silt • Contractor has made minor repairs to silt fence. Overall, the BMP’s appear to be fence. Overall, the BMP’s appear to be functioning well. functioning well Page 1

JFK Project Environmental Update Project Environmental Update July 19, 2004 July 26, 2004

• The contractor (ZCC) continues to • The contractor (ZCC) continues to connect the raised section of roadway at connect the raised section of roadway at both its ends (east of Humble Channel both its ends (east of Humble Channel Bridge and at the GIWW bridge). Bridge and at the GIWW bridge). The • Tri-Con continues to form and cast base has been primer shot and should railing on the West Bridge. have asphalt laid soon. • Tri-Con has begun to form and cast • Tri-Con is nearing completion on railing atop the new Humble Channel forming and casting railing on the West Bridge. Bridge. • The contractor continues to work on the • Tri-Con is nearing completion on turnaround at Flour Bluff. The forming and casting railing atop the new turnaround would be for traffic to travel Humble Channel Bridge. under the new West Bridge. • Tri-Con has begun to form and cast • The contractor continues to install railing on wall J (ramp to bait stands). interlocking blocks at the west end of • The contractor is reworking the concrete the GIWW side slopes. Contractor has rip-rap along the south side of the begun to place flow able grout over the Humble Channel Bridge. blocks to lock them together. • The contractor has laid curb at the • The contractor has begun to prepare the southeast and northwest corners of the site around bulkhead no. 2 for GIWW turnarounds and is preparing to interlocking blocks. lay curb at the northeast corner of the • Contractor continues to maintain the silt GIWW turnaround. fence and other best management • The contractor continues to work on the practices (BMPs). Overall, the BMP’s turnaround at Flour Bluff. The appear to be functioning well. turnaround would be for traffic to travel under the new West Bridge. • The contractor has installed all the interlocking blocks at the west end of the GIWW side slopes. Contractor continues to place flow able grout over the blocks to lock them together. • The contractor has begun to lay interlocking blocks at bulkhead number 2 and is preparing bulkhead number 1 for the blocks. • Contractor has laid the footing for ramp D (beginning of Wall O). • Contractor continues to maintain the silt fence and other best management practices (BMPs). Overall, the BMP’s appear to be functioning well.

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