municipal project
WACO, TEXAS
Project Location:
S. 7th Street / S. 8th Street / Mary Avenue
Waco, Texas
Project Overview
Merritt Engineering Services provided comprehensive civil engineering design services for the mill and overlay of S. 7th Street, S. 8th Street, and Mary Avenue in Waco, Texas. This municipal pavement rehabilitation project was designed to restore surface integrity, improve ride quality, and extend the service life of three critical roadway segments in central Waco.
Our engineering team performed existing conditions assessment, milling depth analysis, transition area design, and complete overlay plan production — all coordinated with City of Waco standards and GIS mapping data. The project required precise station-based alignment control along both the Mary Avenue and S. 8th Street alignments, with carefully engineered transition zones to ensure a smooth finished surface and proper stormwater drainage. From initial design through construction documentation, Merritt Engineering delivered a practical, durable pavement solution for the City of Waco.
Project Specifications
Project Type
Municipal Pavement Rehabilitation
Location:
S. 7th St. / S. 8th St. / Mary Ave., Waco, TX
Proximity:
Downtown Waco, Texas
Client:
Developer’s Agreement between Private Client & the City of Waco
Overlay Type :
Dense-Graded HMAC (D HMAC)
Alignment Control :
Station-Based, Mary Ave. & S. 8th St. Alignments
Data References :
City of Waco GIS, Blackland Surveying Topographic Survey
Engineering Services Provided
Pavement Evaluation & Milling Design
Our team assessed existing pavement conditions along all three roadway segments and developed milling depth recommendations to correct surface deficiencies while maintaining adequate structural section. Variable mill depths — transitioning between 2" and 3" typical sections — were designed to address localized distress and restore proper cross-slope for drainage.
Design Components:
Existing pavement condition review
Mill depth determination (2" and 3" typical sections)
Transition area design between mill depth changes
Station-based alignment control along Mary Avenue and S. 8th Street alignments
Project limits definition and annotation for contractor coordination
Begin/end mill transition stationing
Overlay Plan Production
Merritt Engineering produced complete construction plan documents for contractor use, coordinating with City of Waco GIS mapping data and field survey information provided by Blackland Surveying. Plans included all necessary stationing, transition notes, and dimensional callouts to ensure accurate field implementation.
Plan Sheet Elements:
Existing and proposed roadway alignments
Milling limits and depth callouts
Transition area extents and stationing
Project limit annotations
Reference data coordination (GIS and topographic survey)
Standard detail coordination for HMAC overlay
Surface Drainage Design
A key objective of the overlay design was to restore and improve stormwater drainage performance along all three roadway segments. Cross-slope and grade design was carefully reviewed to ensure positive drainage to existing inlets and curb lines, preventing ponding and improving long-term pavement performance.
Drainage Design Considerations:
Cross-slope verification and correction
Grade transitions at intersection areas
Coordination with existing inlet and curb inlet locations
Drainage compatibility with adjacent propertiesSite Design & Planning
Project Benefits for Waco
✓ Improved Ride Quality:
Restores smooth, durable driving surface for residents and commuters on S. 7th, S. 8th, and Mary Avenue
✓ Extended Pavement Life:
Mill and overlay rehabilitation significantly extends roadway service life at a fraction of full reconstruction cost
✓ Better Drainage:
Corrected cross-slopes and grades reduce ponding and improve stormwater runoff from the roadway surface
✓ Minimal Disruption:
Efficient pavement rehabilitation approach minimizes construction duration and impact to surrounding businesses and residences
✓ Infrastructure Investment:
Demonstrates the City of Waco’s commitment to maintaining safe, functional roadway infrastructure for the community