Northeast Transmission Line Receives 2024 CMAA Houston Project Excellence Award

The Northeast Transmission Line (NETL) was named the 2024 Project of the Year Award for Water / Wastewater greater than $100M by the CMAA-Houston Chapter. Houston Public Works, KCI Technologies, and Lockwood, Andrews & Newnam, Inc. received the award at the Project of the Year Gala on November 11th.

The NETL is the largest water line project in Houston’s history and addresses subsidence resulting from groundwater use in the region, where subsidence has increased flood risk in an area prone to severe weather. Extending 16.5 miles from the Northeast Water Purification Plant to the intersection of Plaza Verde Drive and Green Plaza Drive, the NETL follows a route along the Sam Houston Parkway North.

The Houston Public Works partnered with regional water authorities to build the NETL as part of a program to meet projected water demands and reduce groundwater reliance in compliance with the Harris-Galveston Subsidence District mandate. The transmission line delivers water to more than 900,000 homes across Harris County and includes sections ranging in diameter from 54 to 120 inches, with the majority of the line being 108-inch in diameter.

Construction of the NETL was conducted in three phases, using open-cut installation for most sections and 57 tunnels. The route traverses northeastern Houston, a developed urban area with major roadways, rail lines and bayous. High groundwater levels and varied soil conditions required specific planning and coordination.

“Our work on the Northeast Transmission Line reflects our commitment to addressing essential infrastructure needs for Houston,” said Mackrena Ramos, PE, vice president, business group director at LAN. “This project supports long-term water supply goals and provides a resilient solution to meet the area’s growing demands.”

The award recognizes LAN’s role in the execution of the NETL, supporting Houston’s public water supply and compliance with subsidence mitigation efforts.