Highways & Roads
Engineered noise barriers, retaining walls, and safety hardware tested for the demands of modern transportation infrastructure.
Learn more about Highways & RoadsProject Overview
Durisol was first approached about the protection of Dennis Johnston Park from highway noise back in 2015.
OwnerHarris County Toll Road Authority
ContractorTexas Wall & Landscape
EngineerKlotz
Landscape ArchitectTalley Landscape Architects
Designing for a Beloved Park
One area of the park, the Big Stone Lodge, was exposed to the new northbound entrance ramp onto the Grand Parkway.
A well-known Houston Area Landscape Architect, Merrie Talley, was brought in to help design the noise wall for this project. They were very interested in both Absorptive Noise Barrier and Transparent Noise Barriers for their “out of the box” appeal.
Many design renditions came over the next 2 years during the design of the noise barrier system. The goal was to have a unique design that reflected the essence of the park, incorporating the landscape design and custom lighting.
From Concept to Buildable Design
EKHO worked very closely with Merrie Talley to turn concepts into buildable designs, convincing the HCTRA that EKHO was a company with a long history in the noise barrier industry backed with well-established products and published test data.
After many meetings and conversations between EKHO, Talley Landscape Architects & HCTRA, a design was finally emerging. The ground mount section would be 18 ft tall, 14 ft absorptive EKHO panels with 4 ft of Noise Barrier on top. The absorptive section would have a custom deer mural on the park side and no pattern on the highway side. This had a ‘satin ice’ color and would be lit by LEDs. The elevated Entrance Ramp section would have 4 ft tall noise barrier mounted to a concrete traffic barrier.
A Community Landmark Protected
Residents describe the park as “a huge perk” to living in the area. The park offers those who live and work in the Metro corridor a much-needed space to mingle, exercise, play or relax.
EKHO’s Noise Barriers were chosen to skirt this neighborhood hotspot, providing both an attractive and functional sound and safety barrier.
EKHO provided a complete design and engineering for 207 linear feet of wall, 32 HSS posts, galvanized and powder coated, 31 sheets of clear transparent noise barrier, with etched “bird striping” bent to fit as required in each curved section, along with aluminum bottom channels and appropriate gasket for installation.
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