Engineered for Houston

LAN is deeply embedded in Houston’s infrastructure landscape. With decades of experience, local staff, and a strong understanding of regional needs, we deliver innovative and resilient solutions to keep the region moving forward.

Our Local Footprint

  • Offices throughout Texas, including Houston

  • Trusted delivery partner for HCTRA, TxDOT, and dozens of counties and cities

  • Ranked in the Top 50 Program Management Firms in the U.S. (ENR)

Why LAN?

  • Proven track record in roadway design, drainage, and feasibility studies

  • Specialized knowledge of HCTRA standards and procedures

  • Local teams ready to respond, coordinate, and deliver

  • Collaborative, forward-thinking approach to infrastructure

Project Gallery

  • Interchange Improvements: Hardy Toll Road and Sam Houston Parkway – HCTRA

    HCTRA is improving the connection between the Hardy Toll Road and Sam Houston Parkway by developing direct connectors (DC) between roadways. Once these improvements are constructed, the direct connectors will enable drivers to transit between the two roads without needing to stop at traffic lights, improving mobility in the area. Currently, motorists needing to transition between the two roadways experience significant congestion due to signalized intersections during peak periods.

    LAN’s design of the DCs and associated modifications to existing frontage roads, ramps, and main lanes is required to accommodate the proposed improvements. LAN is preparing the design utilizing TxDOT and HCTRA design procedures and guidelines.

  • Tollways to Trailways Feasibility Studies – HCTRA

    LAN is supporting HCTRA and Harris County through the Tollways to Trailways initiative by conducting two trail feasibility studies: the Williams Gully Trail and the Blue Ridge Connection Trail. These studies explore the development of multi-use concrete trails ranging from 6 to 12 feet in width, aiming to enhance regional connectivity and mobility while minimizing impacts to existing infrastructure. The proposed alignments for each trail include alternative routes and sidewalk connections along major corridors like North Sam Houston Parkway and Sims Bayou Trail, with public engagement and drainage studies incorporated into the planning process. Both projects represent a broader vision to provide safe, accessible, multi-modal transportation options across Harris County.

  • Beltway East Widening – HCTRA

    LAN designed the widening of the Sam Houston Tollway East in Pasadena. LAN was responsible for the northern half of Segment 2, from north of Vista Road to north of Crenshaw Road.

    LAN provided geometric roadway design to expand an existing four-lane expressway to eight lanes, along with modifications as needed to frontage roads, permanent and temporary ramps, and associated toll collection points – plan and profile sheets, design cross-sections, drainage calculations, and traffic control plans.

  • TIRZ 17 Memorial Drive Reconstruction – Memorial City Redevelopment Authority

    As the prime engineering firm, LAN provided design, utilities, and traffic control planning for the Memorial Drive Reconstruction Project–a significant urban infrastructure initiative. This project involved the comprehensive reconstruction of 4,700 linear feet of roadway, transforming a four-lane asphalt road with open ditches into a modern four-lane concrete curb and gutter roadway with a 24-foot wide raised median. The reconstruction enhanced mobility, safety, and drainage, thereby improving the quality of life in the area. Funded by TIRZ 17 and federal funds through the Houston-Galveston Area Council’s Transportation Improvement Program, the project also replaced aging public utilities.

  • US 90A 8-lane Major Thoroughfare and UPRR Sunset Route Crossings – City of Sugar Land and City of Stafford

    LAN provided comprehensive engineering services for this significant infrastructure initiative to improve transportation efficiency and safety in the region. This project involves the expansion of the US 90A into an 8-lane major thoroughfare, which is a critical corridor for both cities, facilitating smoother traffic flow and reducing congestion.

    LAN performed the planning and design of the construction of grade-separated crossings over the Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR) Sunset Route which will enhance connectivity and safety by eliminating at-grade crossings that often lead to traffic delays and potential hazards. This comprehensive approach improves transportation efficiency and safety, while also accommodating future growth in the region.

  • University Boulevard Extension – City of Sugar Land

    LAN performed the final design and construction administration services for the extension of University Boulevard from US Highway 90 A north to Stadium Drive. This new 4-lane, divided north-south connector includes an at-grade rail crossing with traffic signal preemption, grade-separated overpass of the UPRR Spur and Oyster Creek, a shared use path and sidewalk, aesthetic elements, retaining walls, right-of-way acquisition, and bridge supported waterline.

  • Universal Accessibility Improvements – Houston METRO

    LAN has provided engineering and architecture services for Houston METRO’s Universal Accessibility (UA) Initiative since September 2020. The initiative enacts METRO’s commitment to make its network of more than 9,000 bus stops accessible to all people, to the greatest extent possible. METRO divided the City into six zones, with LAN selected to provide services for Zone 5 (southwest Houston). LAN has designed/assessed more than 950 bus sites, implementing various upgrades to sidewalks, wheelchair ramps, bus shelter foundations, and surrounding infrastructure.

Our Team

  • Tom Ellis

    Tom is a Vice President and Business Group Director for LAN’s Transportation group and has experience with transportation planning and design with public and private sectors. Previously, he served 19 years with a national engineering firm as a senior vice president in the following roles; San Antonio and Austin office leader, Houston office leader, central division president in the Texas region, and Southern California office leader overseeing the Los Angeles, San Diego and Orange County offices. Prior to that role, he worked for the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) for 17 years and served as a district engineer before entering the private sector.

  • Craig Hester

    Craig has 42 years of extensive experience with large transportation programs, corridor planning studies, toll feasibility studies, alternatives analysis and schematic development, public involvement, environmental document coordination, final roadway geometric design, hydrology studies and hydraulic design, traffic engineering, traffic control plans, scheduling, and cost estimating of freeways, highways, toll roads, county roads, and transit facilities.

    He has performed these services for Houston TxDOT (all Districts), City of Houston, Harris County Toll Road Authority, Fort Bend County Toll Road Authority, Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County, and the counties/cities of the greater Houston area. Craig brings a collaborative approach to clients and team members alike resulting in cost effective and successful solutions.

  • Robin Li

    Robin has a strong background in transportation, including feasibility studies, preliminary engineering, and PS&E design for clients such as TxDOT, HCTRA, and various municipalities. She has designed and managed projects involving interstate highways, freeways, farm-to-market roads, urban arterials, interchanges, and railroad underpasses. Her experience also includes structural engineering for ports and harbors.

    Robin has made notable contributions to the engineering community, including publishing the ASCE Bridge Journal paper “Fatigue Crack Formation and Repair Strategies for Steel Cantilever Bracket Tie Plates” in 2012 and presenting on bridge retrofitting at the Transportation Research Board 90th Annual Meeting in 2011.

  • Mackrena Ramos

    Mackrena has 26 years of experience with water system design and improvement projects. She has supported numerous projects associated the City of Houston’s multi-year, multi-phase Surface Water Transmission Program (SWTP). Her experience includes route evaluation, pipeline design, and construction phase services including submittal reviews and RFIs.

    As Program Manager for the SWTP, she oversees the project schedules and budgets associated with the program. Her experience includes the Fuqua 72-inch Waterline, which consisted of routing studies; large diameter waterline design; valves and appurtenances; storm sewer systems; utility relocation; pump station improvements; and pavement replacement.

  • Bruce Dinkheller

    Bruce Dinkheller brings project management experience in all phases of transportation projects from planning, through design and construction. His expertise includes program management, design, construction management, and alternative delivery for complex highway and light rail/transit projects. Bruce is a hands-on, boots-on-the-ground project manager with extensive experience overseeing major projects and construction programs.

    As a former Illinois Department of Transportation District 8 Engineer, he brings an Owner’s perspective, having been responsible for managing a five-year capital program to plan, design, construct and maintain projects within his District.

  • Shenelle Graves

    Shenelle has 15 years of experience working in the Right-of-Way industry. Prior to joining the LAN Team, she served as Acquisition Manager for the Harris County Real Property Division, where she honed her multitasking abilities in a high-volume,fast-paced environment.

    She is experienced in managing ROW staff; analyzing projects and advising staff engineers on potential ROW impacts; and performing appraisal review, negotiation, title curative, and eminent domain support. She has served as liaison with appraisers, attorneys, and landowners, and has personally negotiated over 500 parcels.