Harris County Municipal Utility District 501

A project decades in the making…

Introduction

For the past twenty years, MUD 500, in conjunction with its developer, Caldwell Companies (“Caldwell”), the Texas Department of Transportation (“TxDOT”), and the Union Pacific Railroad (“UPRR”), has been working on an extension of Greenhouse Road north of Mound Road to connect to U.S. 290 and Skinner Road.  This critical regional mobility project includes construction of a roadway underpass with a dedicated pedestrian trail, as generally depicted in the above rendering, a stormwater pump station to mitigate flooding risk on the new roadway, and replacement of a portion of the existing U.S. 290 bridge over Skinner Road.

Under an agreement between MUD 500 and TxDOT for the project, MUD 500 was responsible for completing the design, land acquisition, and utility relocations for the project, which were completed in late 2025, with TxDOT responsible for bid advertisement and construction oversight.

Design

Over the past five-plus years, MUD 500 worked closely with TxDOT, UPRR, and Harris County to complete the detailed design plans for the project.  Due to an existing agreement between Harris County and UPRR, MUD 500’s potential design options were limited by UPRR to either a bridge over the existing UPRR double railroad tracks or an underpass beneath them.  The existing site conditions, including the railroad, configuration of the U.S. 290 bridge and frontage roads, and existing development on the north side of U.S. 290, meant that an underpass was determined to be the only feasible option. TxDOT also determined that a portion of the existing U.S. 290 bridge at Skinner Road required replacement to provide deeper structural supports for the new roadway underpass.

Caldwell dedicated the land and easements necessary for construction of the project.  MUD 500 also worked with TxDOT and Harris County for the use of a shared easement for Harris County’s construction of necessary drainage facilities for the extension of Mound Road east of Greenhouse Road, and the underpass pump station outfall, to ensure the most efficient use of available land.  This design also provided for sufficient space to allow for construction of a planned Harris County Emergency Services District No. 9 (“ESD 9”) fire station near the intersection of Greenhouse Road and Mound Road, which is anticipated to significantly improve response times for emergency services in and around the Towne Lake community.

To help keep the project on schedule, MUD 500 also coordinated with numerous oil and gas, electricity, telecommunications, and other utility providers to complete the relocation of existing utilities that would have interfered with construction.  These relocations are now complete, and the site is ready for construction.

Bidding and Construction

MUD 500 completed the final stages of design in late 2025, and on February 4, 2026, following public advertisement for bids, TxDOT opened the bids for the construction contract for the project. The lowest bid was submitted by Harper Brothers, with a $74 million base bid and approximately $2 million in force account items for work required to be completed by UPRR, which will be paid as invoiced and may not be fully utilized.

On February 28, 2026, TxDOT awarded the construction contract to Harper Brothers, and the pre-construction meeting currently is being scheduled for early May 2026. Following the pre-construction meeting, MUD 500 expects to receive more detailed schedule information from the contractor. Construction is anticipated to begin this summer and to continue through the late 2029 or early 2030.  In consultation with MUD 500, TxDOT included early completion incentives and late completion penalties in the construction contract to encourage timely completion of the project.

Following construction, TxDOT will maintain state-owned facilities, UPRR will maintain the railroad bridge, and Harris County will maintain the new county roadway facilities.

Funding

MUD 500’s Board has believed from the beginning that this project is a regional mobility project that will benefit Towne Lake and many surrounding communities in northwest Harris County.  To that end, MUD 500 worked with the Houston-Galveston Area Council to secure $60,800,000 in federal funds for the construction of the project.

MUD 500 also worked with local funding partners, including Harris County Precinct 3, the Harris County Toll Road Authority (“HCTRA”), and ESD 9, to help further reduce costs to MUD 500 residents. A summary of MUD 500’s funding partners and their respective contributions is provided in the chart below.  The total estimated project cost, including design, utility relocations, and construction, is approximately $88.5 million.  MUD 500 is grateful to all of its funding partners who have helped to make this critical mobility project happen.

MUD 500 committed to paying for 100% of the design and utility relocations for the project, which totaled approximately $12.5 million.  Together with MUD 500’s share of the construction costs, MUD 500’s total expected contribution for the project is just under $19.5 million.

MUD 500’s Funding Partners

* MUD 500 is also responsible for 100% of the design and utility relocation costs associated with the project, and its total current and proposed contribution is approximately $19,457,000.

Next Steps

Now that design is complete, and TxDOT is overseeing the construction phase of the underpass project, MUD 500 anticipates that TxDOT will be in the best position to provide regular updates regarding the project.  For any questions or for more information as construction progresses, please contact TxDOT’s Public Information Office, at hou-piowebmail@txdot.gov.  To report any concerns or complaints, please utilize TxDOT’s online reporting form, available at https://www.txdot.gov/about/contact-us/report-an-issue.html.

We respectfully ask for the community’s patience and cooperation during construction, as temporary inconveniences will help deliver long-term transportation benefits for Towne Lake residents and the broader community.

Wind has a major impact on whether exposed pipes freeze, even when the air temperature alone might seem marginal. Here’s how it works in practical terms:

1. Wind accelerates heat loss (wind chill effect)

• Wind strips away the thin layer of warmer air that naturally surrounds a pipe.
• This increases convective heat transfer, causing the pipe to lose heat much faster.
• Even though wind chills don’t lower the actual air temperature, it lowers the effective temperature of the pipe surface, making freezing more likely.

Example: At 28°F (−2°C) with strong wind, an exposed pipe can cool as fast as it would in much colder, calm conditions.

2. Pipes freeze faster in windy conditions

• In still air, pipes may retain some heat from:
  • Residual warm water inside
  • Heat leaking from nearby buildings or the ground
• Wind removes that heat continuously, allowing the pipe temperature to drop below 32°F (0°C) more quickly.

This is why pipes often freeze:

• On north-facing or windward sides of buildings
• In crawlspaces, attics, or under homes with air infiltration
• On bridges or elevated structures

3. Wind defeats insulation if it’s not sealed

• Insulation works by trapping air.
• Wind penetrating gaps or poorly sealed insulation nullifies its effectiveness.
• Even insulated pipes can freeze if wind is allowed to blow through or behind the insulation.

Key point: Insulation must be continuous, sealed, and wind-blocked to be effective.

4. Evaporative cooling can worsen freezing

• If moisture is present (rain, melting snow, condensation), wind speeds up evaporation.
• Evaporation pulls additional heat from the pipe, lowering its temperature further.
• This is especially dangerous around outdoor faucets and irrigation lines.

5. Why moving water helps—but wind can still win

• Flowing water resists freezing because it brings in heat from upstream.
• However, in strong wind and prolonged cold:
  • Slow trickles may not provide enough heat
  • Small-diameter pipes can still freeze

Practical mitigation strategies

To reduce wind-related freezing risk:

• Block wind exposure (plywood shields, skirting, or wind barriers)
• Seal insulation with tape or vapor barrier
• Use heat tape rated for outdoor use
• Enclose pipes where possible

Bottom line

Wind dramatically increases the freezing risk of exposed pipes by accelerating heat loss. In freezing weather, a windy 28°F night can be far more dangerous to pipes than a calm 20°F night.

There are several effective methods to keep your exposed pipes from freezing. Here are some of the most common ones:

1. Insulation:
   • Use foam pipe insulation, heat tape, or heat cable to wrap pipes.
   • Make sure to cover all joints and bends thoroughly.
2. Enclosures and Barriers: Build insulated boxes or enclosures around vulnerable pipes.
   • Use plywood or other wind barriers to block strong gusts.
3. Sealing Gaps:
   • Seal any cracks, gaps, or openings in walls, floors, and foundations where cold air can seep in.
4. Heating Solutions:
   • Install a small space heater or heat lamp in areas with exposed pipes.
   • Use heat tape or cables that are thermostatically controlled to maintain a safe temperature.
5. Keeping Indoor Temperatures Consistent:
   • Maintain consistent heat in areas where pipes are exposed, such as attics, basements, or crawl spaces.
6. Disconnecting and Draining:
   • For outdoor hoses and sprinkler systems, disconnect and drain them before freezing weather sets in.
7. Using Outdoor Faucet Covers:
   • Install insulated covers over outdoor faucets to help protect them from the cold.

By combining several of these methods, you can significantly reduce the risk of frozen pipes.

As a reminder from Winter Storm Uri, Senate Bill 3 was passed in 2021 which prevents penalties and water service terminations during an “extreme weather emergency.” This is defined as a period when the previous day’s highest temperature and the predicted temperature for the next 24 hours are both no higher than 28 degrees Fahrenheit.

Inframark will be monitoring the weather conditions and following the directives provided in SB3.

On behalf of the Texas MUD Leadership Team

Todd A. Burrer
President, MUDs

24/7 Customer Service 832-467-1599.

Inframark | 2002 West Grand Parkway North Suite 100 | Katy, TX 77449 US

MUD 501’s engineer, EHRA Engineering, has been in contact with the Harris County senior project manager for the addition of the northbound Greenhouse Bridge over Cypress Creek.

The remaining railing and posts will be installed this week, and northbound traffic is expected to move over to the new bridge by the end of the month.

The remaining work in the median will follow shortly after and substantial completion of the project is expected in February.

Newsletter features include:

• Road Bonds
• 2025 Tax Rate Information
• Excess Volume Pickup Quote
• Spring 2025 Community Shred & Electronics Recycling Event
• MUD 501 Directors Invest in Learning for Our Community
• Irry Gator Makes a Splash!
• Towne Lake Fall Festival Brings Community Together
• MUD 500 Update – Interactive Map & Links to Towne Lake MUDs

Read Fall 2025 Newsletter – Year in Review.

Dear Residents,

Please be advised that our service provider, Texas Pride Disposal, has notified us that trash collection for our community is experiencing a delay today.

This delay is due to the increased volume following the holiday season and significant wait times at the landfills. While they anticipate completing all services before the end of the day, collections will occur later than the regular schedule.

We are in contact with them and will pass along any further updates if the situation changes.

We appreciate your understanding.

Temperatures are forecasted to drop below freezing overnight, into early tomorrow morning. Please take time to protect your pipes, pets, plants, and people, from the freezing temperatures.

• Wrap pipes and let faucets drip to prevent freezing
• Bring pets and sensitive plants indoors
• Dress appropriately and check conditions regularly

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