Segment 3B-1 construction photos

An excavator lowers an 8’ x 8’ storm sewer box underneath St. Emanuel Street between Clay and Bell streets. These storm sewer boxes will eventually take stormwater from the detention pond under construction at Chartres and Jefferson streets and move it up to the large detention pond being built between Runnels Street and Buffalo Bayou.

Crews are pushing forward with construction of the large detention pond between Buffalo Bayou and Runnels Street. Every week dump trucks haul more soil away from the area, allowing crews to shape what’s left behind.

Before the World Cup Fan Fest began in East Downtown, the Segment 3B-1 contractor placed down new temporary sidewalks and new sod along St. Emanuel Street so fans could have a safe place to move around nearby. South of the Fan Fest area, the contractor also opened St. Emanuel from Jefferson to St. Joseph Parkway and at McIlhenny Street.

Crews made progress on the new detention pond between Runnels Street and Buffalo Bayou. The pond will take stormwater from the new drainage system being built underneath St. Emanuel Street and when finished, will be able to hold nearly 76 million gallons of stormwater.

Crews spent much of April 2026 cleaning up construction areas, getting East Downtown ready for the 2026 FIFA World Cup fan services activities in the area.

All construction trench areas must be filled, permanent and temporary sidewalks must be built, and sod must be placed down. Work on this project will be on pause from June 1 - August 1, 2026, to accommodate events surrounding the huge soccer tournaments for which Houston will host seven games.

Crews completed placing 8-foot diameter storm sewer pipes underneath St. Emanuel Street between Jefferson and McIlhenny streets. That is a run of about 1800 feet!

Crews made great progress on the large detention pond between Runnels Street and Buffalo Bayou, and a company made sure rainwater in the pond was safe to push into the bayou.

This month saw the first portion of St. Emanuel Street completed in its final configuration, between St. Joseph Parkway and Gray Street.

Crews Build Detention Pond near I-69 and Runnels Street