City of El Paso
El Paso, Texas

After the severe storms hit El Paso in 2006, the City of El Paso implemented a Stormwater Improvements Program was implemented consisting of several projects designed to improve the stormwater infrastructure throughout the city.

As a construction manager of seven concurrent projects, we provided inspection services, constructability reviews of design and project modifications throughout construction phase, conducted construction weekly meetings, reviewed pay applications and change orders, performed schedule and progress reviews, managed quality control testing, reported progress reports, provided utility relocation coordination.  We also coordinated with multiple stakeholders and permitting agencies such as the International Boundary and Water Commission, Customs and Border Protection, El Paso County Water Improvement District No. 1, and BNSF Railway Company.

The $11 million Upper Valley Drainage Improvements phase IB, II and III projects consisted in improving several infiltration ponds, the construction of a pump station, the lining of two existing channels, and the installation of underground stormwater system for Charl Ann Street, Mulberry, and Redd Roads. Work included the relocation of existing telecommunication, gas, water and sewer utilities, the reconstruction of streets and sidewalks, and the construction of discharge structures and other underground hydraulic structures.

The Paragon-Santa Fe and Ojo de Agua Drainage Channel Improvements projects included the construction of more than 7,000 linear feet of channels with an average bottom width of 14 feet and average height of 16 feet on a 3 to 1 slope. Projects included the excavation of large de-silting areas, and the construction of drainage and energy dissipation structures. Total construction cost of these projects was $3.6 million.

The $750,000 Gravity Flow Outlet Structure Improvements project built and refurbished close to thirty hydraulic structures on the Rio Grande along the U.S. and Mexico border.

The stormwater improvement projects offered unique challenges such as coordinating construction with affected neighbors, utility relocations, and permitting issues with local, state and federal agencies.  Throughout the program, ECM personnel assisted the City with neighbor outreach, scheduled work around utility relocations, resolved the permitting issues in a timely manner, and met the stakeholder's expectations.