Texas Public Works Association Honors Northeast Transmission Line with Project of the Year Award

The Texas Chapter of the American Public Works Association (Tx-APWA) has awarded Houston Public Works, Lockwood, Andrews & Newnam Inc. (LAN), and Harper Brothers Construction the Project of the Year Award for Environments over $75M for the Northeast Transmission Line (NETL) program. The award was presented on June 4 at the annual Tx-APWA 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-inch and 108-inch steel water lines. This monumental project aligns with Houston Public Works’ goals to reduce groundwater pumping, enhance water supply reliability and meet the projected 2040 water demand, benefiting over 900,000 homes in Harris County. LAN served as the program manager for the entire alignment of NETL and designed three segments.

“We are delighted for the project to earn this much-deserved recognition. The NETL’s completion is significant in increasing the resilience and reliability of our water supply system,” said Christine Kirby, PE, assistant program manager.

Randy Macchi, chief operating officer of the City of Houston Public Works Department, emphasized the collaborative effort involved. “This project required meticulous planning and coordination with numerous stakeholders. The teams of each partner in this project navigated these complexities and delivered the project on schedule. That’s a testament to the dedication and expertise of everyone involved,” said Macchi.

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. The city’s drinking water system maintains a “Superior” rating, the highest rating for water quality issued by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.

The Texas APWA organization is part of the American Public Works Association (APWA), a not-for-profit, international 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.