By Emily Stuckey-Treichel
Fort Bend MUD 47 (FBMUD47) will soon begin a corrugated metal pipe (CMP) Replacement Project along the Cumberland Channel and Trail which runs from the asphalt trail, past the tennis courts to Aldridge Drive. Work will be located on both sides of the channel which will impact trail access during the project. There will be large machinery and materials on site and extensive groundwork so we ask the public to respect all safety fences, barricades and warning signs. The District’s contractor estimates the project will take 1-2 weeks to complete. Inclement weather and interference by the public can lead to increased completion time.
The project is necessary to address erosion and structural failure of three CMPS. The issues are primarily a result of prolonged erosion which wears away the protective interior coating of the pipe, eventually exposing and deteriorating the metal. This allows water to escape through the pipe joints, which can lead to sinkholes and reduced drainage efficiency.
The District’s contractor will cut and remove the damaged concrete inlet structures, extracting the existing CMPs, and hauling off the debris. The contractor will then install new galvanized CMP and place cement-stabilized sand to ensure proper support. Once installation is complete, the concrete inlet structures will be re-poured to restore the original V-shape design consistent with other backslope interceptors.
Each new pipe will feature a polymer coating, providing an added layer of protection from erosion that typically doubles the service life of the pipe. To complete the work, all disturbed areas will be hydro mulched to promote vegetation reestablishment and site stabilization.
The photos below illustrate the type of work to be performed during this project.
