RINER is one of four firms selected by TXDOT to provide geotechnical engineering services for the NHHIP project. RINER provided geotechnical engineering services for Segment 3 of the SH 228/US 59 interchange, soldier pile walls along US 59 from SH 288 to IH-45, IH-45 south of IH-10 to Pierce Elevated in downtown Houston. RINER performed approximately 16,000 LF of drilling with borings ranging from 40- to 125-feet below ground surface. Piezometers were also included at several locations along the alignment for long-term groundwater monitoring. 

RINER utilized up to 5 drill rigs working day and night, where allowed. RINER obtained permits from TxDOT, the City of Houston, and coordinated with various utility companies to clear the boring locations of existing utilities prior to coring and drilling operations. Drilling was performed in both residential and commercial areas. Permits were obtained from the Houston Museum District, Amtrak, the Harris County Flood Control District (HCFCD), restaurants and various other entities to drill within their respective properties and/or easements. The freeway section is located in Downtown Houston, the 4th largest city in the country. To minimize disruption to traffic, drilling was performed during non-peak hours from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. Borings were performed along the I-45 main lanes, I-69 main lanes, SH 288 mainplanes as well as the respective frontage roads and city cross streets.  

RINER provided recommendations for bridge foundations, MSE retaining walls, tieback walls, drilled pier walls, slope stability, settlement and ground improvement. This is one of the largest project ever undertaken by TxDOT. The total construction cost is estimated to be $7 billion.