Congo Lane Street Project

As part of the 2023 Bond Referendum the citizens of Jersey Village approved bonds for street projects, one of which was the Congo Lane Project. 

This project was designed by Garza EMC and includes new street, sidewalks, storm sewer, water line, and street lights for Congo Lane from Senate Avenue to Equador Street.

The project was placed out to bid in March 2024. The following bids were received:

Bidder Bid Amount
Environmental Allies $2,950,512
R Construction $3,672,610.05
Cracon Inc $3,786,693.10
Teamwork Construction Services Inc $4,034,834
iCon GC LLC $4,260,000
MC2 Civil LLC $4,576,184.50
Conrad Construction Co LTD $4,850,523

 

During the April 22, 2024 City Council Meeting the City Council awarded the project to Environmental Allies. 

Work is expected to begin at the conclusion of the 2023-2024 school year along Congo Lane from Solomon to Equador. That section of road is anticipated to be completed before the 2024-2025 school year begins in mid-August. 

Project updates for this project will be posted below as they become available. If you would like to receive these updates via email please use the form at the bottom of the page to subscribe. 

Frequently asked questions about street projects can be found here

Saturday Work Approval
07/25/2024
The contractor has been granted Saturday work approval for 7/27/24 for concrete preparations. 

Congo Lane Update Notification 7/25/24
07/25/2024

Water Line

  1. Approximately 1,500 LF 8" installed; 50% complete; pressure test passed
  2. 15 Residents are receiving service from the new 8" line
  3. Water line installation will stop and focus on finalizing the South lane between Equador and Solomon
  4. FDC and HS domestic tie-in is completed as of 7/24/24

 

Storm System

  1. 12 driveways poured
  2. North lane completed except for panels at the intersection of Solomon/Congo
  3. Weather permits, contractor only needs 14 days to complete the south land before August 19th.  Contractor will request to work on Saturdays to meet schedule. Critical dates will be discussed in weekly meeting moving forward.
  4. Approximately 1500' of storm pipes have been installed (24"-30") along the center of Congo and laterals for future inlets
  5. No issues with gas line crossing encountered as shown on CenterPoint Gas drawing.

Trash/Recycling services

Public Works has notified GFL about the frequent missed pickups.  We were told that this was relayed to dispatch for further attention. 


Project update for 7/18/24
07/18/2024
Work crews prepped driveway areas on the north side of Congo, removed trench boxes from the bore area at Congo and Solomon, and began backfilling both sides. They resolved a water leak at 15530 by bypassing the existing connection and replacing the pipe to the house and installed an additional 40' of 8" waterline west of Solomon. The crew also installed 120' of 8" waterline, replaced 20' of 2" irrigation lines, and removed 87' of 4' sidewalk. A subcontractor placed fiber optic next to the curb on the south side of Congo in front of the school. Rebar was placed in front of the driveways, and 160LF of 24" RCP was installed west of Solomon. They placed another 100' of 8" waterline and replaced 14' of 2" PVC. Three sections of pavement were poured, with plans to pour more on Friday, weather permitting. In the center of the street west of Solomon, 48 LF of 24" RCP and two junction boxes were installed.  Centerpoint/DigCo worked to lower the gas line at the intersection of Australia, resolving issues with exposed excavation.

Saturday work approval 7/13/24
07/11/2024
The contractor has been granted Saturday work approval for 7/13/24 to conduct pipe installation and concrete preparations. 

Project update for 7/11/24
07/11/2024
Pressure testing was conducted on the 8” water line between Equador and Solomon. Demolition and paving were carried out west of Solomon Street. New 24” RCPs were installed above area storm sewer B and the subgrade was cut for new driveways. Weather permitting, the north lane will be paved before the start of next week, and 80% of the driveways between Equador and Solomon will be completely poured. Work on the 8” water line will continue once ductile iron pipes are installed under the road. The contractor is expected to begin demolition of the south lane between Equador and Solomon next week. 

Congo Lane Update Notification 6/26/24
06/26/2024
To be ahead of schedule, the contractor requested to work this coming Saturday for concrete pour at 9 am.  The contractor has been granted permission to conduct work activities this Saturday 6/29/24

Weekly updates, June 12-19
06/21/2024

Based on the weekly updates provided from June 12-19, here's a summary of the progress made:

Waterline:

  • Location: First section up to Solomon St.
  • Activities Completed:
    • Installed 972 LF of 8” water line
    • Installed 2 fire hydrants
  • Upcoming Work:
    • Continuation of water line installation

Stormwater System:

  • Activities Completed:
    • Installed 869 LF of 24”-30” RCP (Reinforced Concrete Pipe)
    • Installed 3 manholes
  • Upcoming Work:
    • Further storm sewer installation

General Progress and Notes:

  • Construction Schedule:
    • Contractors worked half days on Wednesday and Thursday due to afternoon showers.
    • Additional work scheduled for Saturday, June 22nd from 7am-5pm to maintain schedule.
  • Environmental Measures:
    • Sods were installed along curbs to prevent silt from washing into the street.

Sidewalk and Pavement:

  • Activities Completed:
    • Mobilization and staging area established
    • Mailbox banks installed
    • Removed 1110 LF of sidewalk
    • Removed 890 LF of pavement on the North Lane
  • Upcoming Work:
    • Further sidewalk and pavement activities

This summary encapsulates the key activities completed during the week of June 12-19, highlighting progress made in various aspects of the project and outlining plans for the upcoming period.


Weekly updates, June 3-12
06/17/2024

Weekly updates, June 3-12

Work on Congo is moving right along and on schedule.  Below is the progress made since June 3rd.  NOTE:  Weekly construction meetings are on Thursdays and quantity updates are from Thursday-Thursday.

Sidewalk and Pavement:

  • June 3-12: Mobilization, staging area established, mailbox banks installed, 725 LF of sidewalk removed, and 550 LF of pavement removed on the North Lane.

    Water Line:

  • June 6-12: Mobilization, 700 LF - 8” water line, and 1 fire hydrant installed.

    Stormwater System:

  • June 6-12: Mobilization, 356 LF – (2- 30” RCP), and 2 manholes.

Over the next week, there might be a delay due to weather conditions.  Thank you for your ongoing support and collaboration.

 

Tim Nguyen, EIT/PM

tnguyen@jerseyvillagetx.com


Work starts Monday, June 3
05/31/2024
Starting Monday, June 3rd, Congo Lane will undergo a drainage improvement project aimed at ensuring efficient water management, reducing flooding risks, and enhancing overall infrastructure. 
While we strive to minimize inconvenience, please expect temporary changes such as noise, increased construction traffic, and limited access to certain areas. We appreciate your patience and understanding during this time.
We will keep you informed about project milestones, any updates (see attached construction schedule), and potential changes throughout the duration of the project. Please feel free to reach out to me for any questions or concerns you may have.
We appreciate your cooperation and understanding as we work towards improving our community's infrastructure. Together, we can make this project a success and enhance the quality of life for all residents.
Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Sincerely,

Tim Nguyen, EIT/PM

Department of Public Works,

City of Jersey Village

16327 Lakeview Drive

Jersey Village, TX, 77040

Office: (713) 466-2148

tnguyen@jerseyvillagetx.com


Congo Lane Construction Schedule
05/30/2024
Congo Lane Construction Schedule 5-30-2024.pdf

Congo Lane Drainage Improvements Construction Drawings
05/30/2024

CONGO LANE DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENTS SHT 1-23.pdf

CONGO LANE DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENTS SHT 24-44.pdf

CONGO LANE DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENTS SHT 45-67.pdf


Town Hall Meeting May 20 With Work To Begin June 3
05/16/2024

There will be a Town Hall Meeting for this project on May 20, from 6-8pm at the Civic Center. Residents can come to learn more about the project and get all of their questions answered. 

A Notice To Proceed has been issued to the contractor. Work will begin on June 3, 2024. 

 

Here is an overview of the upcoming project related to Congo Lane:

  1. New Road: The road widening project will involve expanding Congo Lane to increase the width of lanes (existing 27 ft. to new 33 ft.) and improve traffic capacity. This will help alleviate congestion, reduce travel times, and enhance safety for motorists, pedestrians, and cyclists.  This may involve temporary road closures or detours. We will provide advance notice of any disruptions and alternative routes.
  2. New Sidewalks: The sidewalk improvement project will involve the installation of new 5 (ft.) sidewalks on Congo Lane where they are currently lacking or in need of repair. These new sidewalks will provide safe and convenient pathways for pedestrians, improving connectivity throughout our neighborhood.  We will make every effort to minimize inconvenience.
  3. Waterline Replacement: The water line replacement project will involve replacing aging water pipes with new ones to improve water flow, pressure, and quality in our community. This will help prevent leaks, reduce the risk of service disruptions, and ensure the delivery of safe drinking water to your home.
  4. Drainage Improvements: The drainage improvement project will involve the installation of new drainage systems, including pipes, and inlets, to improve water flow and reduce the risk of flooding in low-lying areas of our community.  We will strive to complete the work efficiently and minimize disruptions.

We understand that these projects may cause temporary inconvenience, and we appreciate your patience and cooperation as we work to improve our community. We will keep you informed throughout the process and provide updates on any changes or developments.  If you have any questions or concerns about this project, please do not hesitate to contact me; my information is below.  Your feedback is important to us, and we are here to address any issues you may have.  Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.


Pre-Construction Meeting Held Work To Commence Soon
05/09/2024

On May 8 we had a pre-construction meeting with the contractor. They have requested to begin work the week of May 13. We are currently evaluating the request. If work does start the week of May 13 it would begin on the Senate Ave end of Congo. Residents impacted will be notified before work begins.

Work on Congo between Equador and Solomon would not start until June 1. 

There will be a meeting for residents of Congo Lane on Monday, May 20th at 6pm at the Civic Center to discuss the project and answer questions. City staff and the contractor will be there to answer questions. 

You can also use the form below to ask your questions as well. We will respond to questions via email and post the questions and answers on this page as well. 


Congo Lane Project Awarded To Contractor
04/23/2024

As part of the 2023 Bond Referendum the citizens of Jersey Village approved bonds for street projects, one of which was the Congo Lane Project. 

This project was designed by Garza EMC and includes new street, sidewalks, storm sewer, water line, and street lights for Congo Lane from Senate Avenue to Equador Street.

The project was placed out to bid in March 2024. The following bids were received:

Bidder Bid Amount
Environmental Allies $2,950,512
R Construction $3,672,610.05
Cracon Inc $3,786,693.10
Teamwork Construction Services Inc $4,034,834
iCon GC LLC $4,260,000
MC2 Civil LLC $4,576,184.50
Conrad Construction Co LTD $4,850,523

 

During the April 22, 2024 City Council Meeting the City Council awarded the project to Environmental Allies. 

Work is expected to begin at the conclusion of the 2023-2024 school year along Congo Lane from Solomon to Equador. That section of road is anticipated to be completed before the 2024-2025 school year begins in mid-August. 


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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

 

Will storm water pipes be enlarged?

 

clipYes pipes will be enlarged, and additional piping will be added with the goal to discharge excess water off of the streets and into the drainage system. This improved design system is for 2-year storms.

  

Will sidewalks be updated?

  

Sidewalks will be replaced on both sides of the street; tree roots will be taken into consideration. We will ensure compliance with American Disability Act (ADA) requirements and will request an inspection from the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR).  Additionally, there will be new sidewalk along Congo Ln. for the empty lot located at the intersection of Australia St. and Congo Ln. Future sidewalk along Australia Ln. will be part of the 2025 Solomon St. and Australia St. Capital Improvement Plan. 

   

Will the street cut become the new center of the street?

 

No, they cut beyond the midpoint to place their forms, stabilized materials and create a smooth transition to phase two.


How deep is the cut for the concrete pour?

 

The depth will be 6 inches. After the concrete is cured (approximately 3-5 days) residents can turn in/out of their driveway.

 

I have trouble turning into my driveway, what should I do about this?

 

Contractors are experienced in handling various construction and access-related issues. They can assess the situation quickly and provide practical solutions to improve driveway access.  Our inspector can also work closely with the contractor, to ensure smooth access to the property.  Please feel free to reach out to contractor, our inspector, or myself if you have this issue and we can help you get in/out of your driveway.

Can we put gravel in the gap?

 

We cannot mix materials in the gap because that may hinder inspection approval.

 

What other type of inconveniences or obstacles can we expect?

 

  1. No sidewalk until it’s poured
  2. Alternative methods to mail service/ package deliveries
  3. Trash services
  4. Mowing services

 

What are we doing with mailboxes?

 

Mailbox: Temporary boxes will be place at two locations in phases.  One will be located at the intersection of Congo Ln. and Australia St. and the other will be at the intersection of Congo Ln. and Equador Ln. for residents to utilize for their mail services. We have notified the Post Office of this alternative location.  Also, the contractor will work with each resident to replace the mailbox with like or better upon completion of construction.


Are we going to be given periodic updates regarding the status and phase of the project?

 

Periodic schedule updates will be posted on the JV website as well as notifications from the Contractor.


Will there be traffic control during construction time?

 

Flagging and traffic control coordination will be ongoing throughout the construction.


Is the speed limit going to change?

 

No


Are the sidewalks going in at 4 foot?

 

New sidewalks will be a minimum of 5’ wide.


How will I access my house the day of the pour?

 

Residents may have to walk a few houses back towards a dry area, contractor can coordinate pass through if needed.


Will we be notified when concrete is poured?

 

The contractor will notify all residents a few days before the concrete pour.


Will my trash be picked up?

 

Jersey Village will coordinate garbage logistics with the hauling facility to ensure no missed pickups.


What about lawn companies who park on the street?

 

They may have to park on Australia St. or Solomon St., but they won’t be able to park on the street.


Is there going to be equipment left at night?

 

Sub-contractors may leave equipment but only in the construction area, (Not in streets or driveways)


Do I need to have my irrigation system marked in advance?

 

Yes you can flag them in order to assist however, the contractors will be including this in their assessments prior to any disruption or commencement of construction. They are going to aim to assess irrigation prior to disrupting to ensure they fix disruption. A log of all heads and active systems will be maintained. You can contact the contractor or wait until the contractor does his door to door visit.


What if I have a new sprinkler system that interjects into the ROW?

 

Contractor will cap the sprinklers at the ROW. This does not guarantee full function of your system. Any sprinklers inside of the ROW will be removed for construction. Each resident is welcome to contact a licensed irrigation company in order to remove any equipment prior and to discuss alternatives to ensure their lawn is maintained.


What happens to our French or area drains that discharges to the street?

 

The contractor will mark the drain and ensure it remains.