Texas Public Works Association Honors Houston Power Line Project

The Texas Chapter of the American Public Works Association (Tx-APWA) recognized Houston Public Works, Lockwood, Andrews & Newnam Inc. (LAN) and Harper Brothers Construction with the Project of the Year Award for environments over $75 million for the Northeast Transmission Line (NETL) program. The award was presented June 4 at the Tx-APWA Annual Conference in San Antonio, Texas.

The NETL, the city’s largest water transmission project to date, will deliver 340 million gallons per day (MGD) of treated surface water from the expanded Northeast Water Purification Plant (NEWPP) through 16.5 miles of 120- and 108-inch steel water mains. This monumental project aligns with Houston Public Works’ goals to reduce groundwater pumping, improve water supply reliability and meet projected water demand through 2040, benefiting more than 900,000 Harris County homes. LAN served as program manager for the entire NETL alignment and designed three segments.

“We are delighted that the project is receiving this well-deserved recognition. The completion of NETL is important to increasing the resilience and reliability of our water supply system,” said Christine Kirby, PE, deputy program director.

Randy Macchi, director of operations for the City of Houston Department of Public Works, noted the collaborative effort involved. “This project required meticulous planning and coordination with numerous stakeholders. The teams from each partner in this project overcame these complexities and delivered the project on time. This is a testament to the dedication and expertise of everyone involved,” Macchi said.

Despite challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic, Winter Storm Uri in 2021, and resulting supply chain issues, the project was successfully completed on schedule. This success underscores the team’s unwavering commitment to resilience and their ability to deliver on their promises. The city’s drinking water system maintains a “Superior” rating, the highest rating for water quality issued by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. Texas APWA is part of the American Public Works Association (APWA), an international nonprofit educational and professional association dedicated to providing high-quality public works goods and services. APWA promotes professional excellence and public awareness through education, advocacy, and knowledge exchange.

Source: Lockwood, Andrews & Newnam Inc. (LAN)