--- title: Southeast Connector Project | HVJ Associates description: HVJ completed pavement evaluation and design engineering for the $1.6 billion Southwest Connector project. image: https://www.hvj.com/hubfs/TxDOT%20Fort%20Worth.png --- [![HVJ Logo](https://www.hvj.com/hs-fs/hubfs/HVJ%20logo_141x71.png?width=110&height=71&name=HVJ%20logo_141x71.png "HVJ Logo")](https://www.hvj.com/?hsLang=en) ** [ Let's talk ](https://www.hvj.com/contact-us?hsLang=en) ** ** Geotechnical Engineering Soil, rock, and groundwater conditions at every site are different. We assess the specific site conditions and design earth structures (slopes, channels, and dikes), foundations (retaining walls, bridges, buildings, tanks), and subsurface structures (clarifiers, lift stations, buried utilities, tunnels) to economically achieve the specific project objectives. Learn More → Construction Materials Engineering & Testing Construction material performance is key to the function and durability of any project. We engineer and test materials such as soil, concrete, and asphalt so you get what you pay for and the project performs as expected.     Learn More → Civil/Pavement Engineering A successful project starts with clear understanding of the project’s specific needs. We prepared street rehabilitation PS&E, traffic control designs, pavement designs, and asset management systems based on careful understanding of design requirements.   Learn More → Environmental Geology & Engineering Impact from hazardous waste, wetlands, faulting, and/or NEPA processes are serious concerns for project development. We identify such concerns early in project development, and provide strategies to mitigate impacts and provide the proper regulatory approval so the project can proceed on time and achieve the project goals. Learn More → Roads & Bridges Congestion and failing road surfaces cause delays, vehicle damage, and even driver safety issues. Solving these problems requires our specialized knowledge of pavement and roadway structures. Learn More → Water, Wastewater & Flood Control Drinking water, flushing toilets, and dry streets for granted – until they are gone. We specialize in keeping these systems running effectively. Learn More → Airports, Ports & Dredging Expanding and maintaining ports and airports is crucial to our economic development. HVJ’s specialized pavement, wharf, and navigation channel experience makes it happen. Learn More → Rail & Transit Rail and public transit facilities enable efficient transportation of people and goods. Our detailed knowledge of AREMA requirements keeps projects on track. Learn More → Buildings & Parks Schools, universities, courts, parks, solid waste facilities are all critical to our society. HVJ has specialized knowledge and experience with a multitude of public projects. Learn More → [About Us](https://go.hvj.com/about-us?hsLang=en) [News & Resources](https://www.hvj.com/blog?hsLang=en) [Locations](https://www.hvj.com/all-locations?hsLang=en) [Partners](https://www.hvj.com/partners?hsLang=en) HVJ Difference Our engineers provide a unique blend of capabilities and experience because of the support they receive. Employees do not simply exist here. They thrive. Learn More → Culture We are committed learners, empowered to interact based on making strong commitments. We take ownership of our actions and results. Learn More → Benefits We believe in taking care of our employees. We offer a rewarding work experience, opportunities for advancement and competitive benefits. Learn More → Employee Stories Check out what our employees say and learn about the HVJ experience! Great people and even greater teams are behind every project. Learn More → Current Openings We're always looking for talented individuals who fit our culture and can bring new perspectives and experiences to our growing teams. Learn More → The Opportunity Own a successful engineering business by adding our proven systems to your engineering talent and network. Learn More → How It Works Help us branchise – you help us build a branch office and then convert it into your own franchise. Learn More → Who's A Fit? Are you energetic and confident? See if this might be an opportunity that fits you. Learn More → FAQs What do you want to know?  Find the answers to common questions. Learn More → Success Stories Hear about the outstanding results our current franchisees have produced using our proven systems. Learn More → [![HVJ Logo](https://www.hvj.com/hs-fs/hubfs/HVJ%20logo_141x71.png?width=110&height=71&name=HVJ%20logo_141x71.png "HVJ Logo")](https://www.hvj.com/?hsLang=en) ** [ Let's talk ](https://www.hvj.com/contact-us?hsLang=en) ** ** Geotechnical Engineering Soil, rock, and groundwater conditions at every site are different. We assess the specific site conditions and design earth structures (slopes, channels, and dikes), foundations (retaining walls, bridges, buildings, tanks), and subsurface structures (clarifiers, lift stations, buried utilities, tunnels) to economically achieve the specific project objectives. Learn More → Construction Materials Engineering & Testing Construction material performance is key to the function and durability of any project. We engineer and test materials such as soil, concrete, and asphalt so you get what you pay for and the project performs as expected.     Learn More → Civil/Pavement Engineering A successful project starts with clear understanding of the project’s specific needs. We prepared street rehabilitation PS&E, traffic control designs, pavement designs, and asset management systems based on careful understanding of design requirements.   Learn More → Environmental Geology & Engineering Impact from hazardous waste, wetlands, faulting, and/or NEPA processes are serious concerns for project development. We identify such concerns early in project development, and provide strategies to mitigate impacts and provide the proper regulatory approval so the project can proceed on time and achieve the project goals. Learn More → Roads & Bridges Congestion and failing road surfaces cause delays, vehicle damage, and even driver safety issues. Solving these problems requires our specialized knowledge of pavement and roadway structures. Learn More → Water, Wastewater & Flood Control Drinking water, flushing toilets, and dry streets for granted – until they are gone. We specialize in keeping these systems running effectively. Learn More → Airports, Ports & Dredging Expanding and maintaining ports and airports is crucial to our economic development. HVJ’s specialized pavement, wharf, and navigation channel experience makes it happen. Learn More → Rail & Transit Rail and public transit facilities enable efficient transportation of people and goods. Our detailed knowledge of AREMA requirements keeps projects on track. Learn More → Buildings & Parks Schools, universities, courts, parks, solid waste facilities are all critical to our society. HVJ has specialized knowledge and experience with a multitude of public projects. Learn More → [About Us](https://go.hvj.com/about-us?hsLang=en) [News & Resources](https://www.hvj.com/blog?hsLang=en) [Locations](https://www.hvj.com/all-locations?hsLang=en) [Partners](https://www.hvj.com/partners?hsLang=en) HVJ Difference Our engineers provide a unique blend of capabilities and experience because of the support they receive. Employees do not simply exist here. They thrive. Learn More → Culture We are committed learners, empowered to interact based on making strong commitments. We take ownership of our actions and results. Learn More → Benefits We believe in taking care of our employees. We offer a rewarding work experience, opportunities for advancement and competitive benefits. Learn More → Employee Stories Check out what our employees say and learn about the HVJ experience! Great people and even greater teams are behind every project. Learn More → Current Openings We're always looking for talented individuals who fit our culture and can bring new perspectives and experiences to our growing teams. Learn More → Agencies HVJ has been proud to support hundreds of public agencies meet and exceed service expectations from their constituents.  Learn More → Consultant Clients We’ve developed ongoing teaming relationships with many consulting firms based on delivering outstanding client satisfaction. Learn More → Providers Our success strongly depends on our business associates that provide the products and services we need. Learn More → HVJ Difference Our engineers provide a unique blend of capabilities and experience because of the support they receive. Employees do not simply exist here. They thrive. Learn More → Culture We are committed learners, empowered to interact based on making strong commitments. We take ownership of our actions and results. Learn More → Benefits We believe in taking care of our employees. We offer a rewarding work experience, opportunities for advancement and competitive benefits. Learn More → Employee Stories Check out what our employees say and learn about the HVJ experience! Great people and even greater teams are behind every project. Learn More → Current Openings We're always looking for talented individuals who fit our culture and can bring new perspectives and experiences to our growing teams. Learn More → The Opportunity Own a successful engineering business by adding our proven systems to your engineering talent and network. Learn More → How It Works Help us branchise – you help us build a branch office and then convert it into your own franchise. Learn More → Who's A Fit? Are you energetic and confident? See if this might be an opportunity that fits you. Learn More → FAQs What do you want to know?  Find the answers to common questions. Learn More → Success Stories Hear about the outstanding results our current franchisees have produced using our proven systems. Learn More → Search **Menu** ** ** [![Let's Talk](https://hubspot-no-cache-na2-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/default/5496911/6233d0db-c76c-4678-9152-08331c17b6f1.png)](https://hubspot-cta-redirect-na2-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/redirect/5496911/6233d0db-c76c-4678-9152-08331c17b6f1) ![Freeway Intersection](https://www.hvj.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Freeway%20Intersection.jpg?width=2000&name=Freeway%20Intersection.jpg "Freeway Intersection") # TxDOT Fort Worth Southeast  Connector Project  ## Project Background The Texas Transportation Commission designated the Southeast Connector project as part of the statewide [Texas Clear Lanes ](https://www.dot.state.tx.us/texasclearlanes/)initiative to address the state’s most congested bottlenecks. The Southeast Connector project will rebuild and widen 16 miles of I-20 and I-820 in the Fort Worth/Tarrant County area. With a cost of $1.6 billion, this project represents the most significant investment to date in transportation infrastructure in TxDOT’s Forth Worth District.     “This highly anticipated project will tie in the east and southeast parts of Tarrant County to the central part of the county while relieving congestion. It’s not only important for Tarrant County and Fort Worth, but also facilitates trade, increases safety, and improves efficiency for the entire Metroplex.”  TxDOT  TxDOT selected the BGE team (including HVJ) as the General Engineering Consultant to support TxDOT in the procurement, implementation and maintenance oversight for the Design-Build project. BGE selected HVJ to provide geotechnical services, construction materials engineering, and pavement engineering services.   ### **Practice:** [Civil/Pavement Engineering](https://www.hvj.com/civil-pavement-engineering?hsLang=en) ### **Sector:** [Roads and Bridges](https://www.hvj.com/roads?hsLang=en) ### **Location:** Forth Worth, Tarrant County, Texas ### **Services: **Pavement Evaluation and Design Engineering ![TxDOT Fort Worth](https://www.hvj.com/hs-fs/hubfs/TxDOT%20Fort%20Worth.png?width=1280&name=TxDOT%20Fort%20Worth.png "TxDOT Fort Worth") ## The Problem As part of the early construction process, BGE needed to develop Design-Build Specifications to outline specific requirements and ensure the project would meet its objectives. Design Build projects like this need detailed technical information to prepare competitive proposals using a clear, shared understanding of the requirements.   ## The Goal Our goal was to use our experience and testing services to estimate the minimum required pavement thickness and supporting layer strengths of the new mainlines to be incorporated into the Technical Provisions. These values would reduce ambiguity or conflicting pavement design requirements, allowing the teams to develop accurate project cost estimates.   ## Our Solution HVJ collected Falling Weight Deflectometer (FWD) data at 72 test points based on 72 boring and coring field investigations and laboratory testing. We then analyzed this data using the MODULUS 7.0 software to estimate the existing in-situ subgrade soil stiffness for the Portland Cement Concrete (PCC) and Hot Mix Asphalt Concrete (HMAC) pavement thickness designs. We completed the PCC designs using the TxDOT CRCPME and FPS 21 software. Our project engineers have extensive experience with this technical approach, which saves time and money while optimizing the pavement design.    Our engineers used Equivalent Single Axle Wheel Loads (ESAL) to measure the effects of axle loads on the pavement. We used ESAL traffic design data correlated to 72 locations to determine the pavement designs for the main lanes (ML) and frontage roads (FR) for all three highways in both directions.   ## The Results  Our approach yielded a high degree of confidence, and the estimates were used for preparing the Geotechnical Section of the Technical Provisions. Our analysis found that a minimum of 10” of Continuously Reinforced Concrete Pavement (CRCP) would meet the requirements for a 30-year design life.    The Design-Build project was successfully bid and awarded by the Texas Highway Commission in 2021 to the South-Point Constructors, who provided the best value to TxDOT. Construction began in 2022 and is expected to be completed in 2027.  Share this story [![Share on Facebook](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/facebook-24x24.png)](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.hvj.com%2Fsoutheast-connector%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dfacebook) [![Share on LinkedIn](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/linkedin-24x24.png)](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.hvj.com%2Fsoutheast-connector%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dlinkedin) [![Share on Twitter](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/twitter-24x24.png)](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.hvj.com%2Fsoutheast-connector%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.hvj.com%2Fsoutheast-connector%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&source=tweetbutton&text=Southeast%20Connector%20Project%20%7C%20HVJ%20Associates) [![Share on Email](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/email-24x24.png)](mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.hvj.com%2Fsoutheast-connector%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail%20&body=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.hvj.com%2Fsoutheast-connector%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail) #### HVJ Associates, Inc. 6120 S. 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