Feb 7th 2020 | Posted in Water Projects by Texas Government Insider

The Upper Trinity Regional Water District (UTRWD) anticipates opening several procurements this spring for its $490 million Lake Ralph Hall reservoir project after securing a final federal permit on February 6.
The lake will be one of the first major reservoirs to be built in Texas in 30 years.

Lake Ralph Hall map Water district preparing multiple procurements for Lake Ralph Hall

Lake Ralph Hall reservoir project

Design is nearing completion for the proposed Leon Hurse Dam and spillway projects, according to UTRWD staff, with construction procurement scheduled for spring 2020. Competitive sealed proposals will be accepted for construction of the dam, spillway, emergency spillway, and other associated infrastructure.

They also expect to advertise for bids in early 2020 for demolition of four bridges and roadwork where the lake will form. A briefing is scheduled for February 24 on roadway relocation and improvement projects that will be progressive-design-build contracts. Work will include relocation of SH 34 and FM 1550, abandonment of FM 2990 and portions of FM 1550, and other Fannin County road improvements and abandonments.

Competitive sealed proposals/full-service provider contracts for aquatic mitigation are scheduled for procurement in spring 2020. Project scope includes final design, construction, monitoring, maintenance, and adaptive management of aquatic mitigation through acceptance by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE).

Clearing and demolition design procurement is set for spring 2020 with construction procurement estimated to begin in early 2021. Both phases are planned as construction manager at-risk (CMAR) or conventional design-bid-build contract.
UTRWD officials have selected the site for the lake headquarters and tentatively chosen the location for an operations-maintenance facility near the Leon Hurse Dam. The design project includes both facilities and will likely be let in spring 2021 as a request for qualifications (RFQ) followed by construction procurement in spring 2022.

The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality granted UTRWD a water rights permit for the proposed reservoir in December 2013. Named after longtime U.S. Congressman Ralph Hall, the reservoir will be located in southeast Fannin County on the North Sulphur River.