Delivering Best Results

The University of Texas Perimeter Berm Project was a $5.5 million project comprised of three elements: a berm to provide flood protection for the UT Medical School and John Freeman Building, a higher active flood protection perimeter wall and flood gates to provide protection for the truck dock and the northwest entry plaza, and the associated utility and drainage improvements. The project scope was developed from the FEMA 404 project grants resulting from Tropical Storm Allison.

BSCI was contracted for construction management inspection services.

The passive berm protection project consists of raising the perimeter elevation. This included raising the highpoint of the tow driveways into the site at the southwest corner, earthen berms along Fannin, and a redesigned northwest entry plaza. Attempts are still being made to include the raising of Ross Sterling on both the west and east sides of the building. Coordination with Hermann Hospital and the Houston Academy of Medicine are being made as well.

The active protection system also includes berms supplemented with walls at the higher elevation to meet the 500-year flood protection plan for Texas Medical Center. Since there is an nterior active flood protection system, this system serves as added protection for the more vulnerable lower dock area and the northwest entry plaza. The berm system will provide a place
of refuge outside the building in case of fire or other problems within the building during a flood event. Due to physical constraints, the higher elevation only extends around the west side of the site.

The interior protection system would be required to handle the flooding on the north and east sides. In order for the flood protection to work, certain utility improvements were required. The storm lines were in need of repair and the pump systems were upgraded. In addition to the wastewater systems, the interior ejector systems and other building penetrations were also made flood tight.