Darrell K. Royal Texas Memorial Stadium South End Zone Addition

Challenge

Constructing the Darrell K. Royal Texas Memorial Stadium South End Zone Addition at the University of Texas demanded meticulous coordination, given the active campus environment and the need to remain operational during two football seasons. Breaking ground in the Spring of 2019, the expansion would bridge the 2019 and 2020 football seasons while requiring back-of-house training facilities, locker rooms and medical facilities to remain operational throughout construction.

Solution

Hensel Phelps closely coordinated with the athletic department to minimize disruptions and incorporate upcoming football activities into the master schedule. The team proactively established many critical no/limited workdays with stakeholders in the University’s athletics department throughout the season. For example, when the football team practiced on the field, Hensel Phelps worked with the athletic department to align noisy construction activities with the football program’s needs. Hensel Phelps completed significant milestones ahead of each season so that certain portions of the new seating could be available in time for use throughout the football season.

As game days approached, the team collaborated with the stadium’s operations groups to prepare for buses and provisions, ensuring everything functioned adequately before, during and after the games. Hensel Phelps scheduled “good neighbor” meetings with other departments, addressing stakeholders’ activities requiring schedule adjustments to avoid disruptions and surprises.

Before each home game, the project team led game day pre-inspections with all relevant parties, including Fire Marshals and stadium security, to prevent construction from impacting game day activities. The Hensel Phelps “Game Day Team” remained onsite during each game, performing public hazard audits, evaluating traffic flow, installing wayfinding signage and conducting life safety evaluations.

During the 2020 football season, the University of Texas hosted five home games amid the construction of the stadium’s south end zone addition. Hensel Phelps developed and implemented plans to control the 150,000 football fans entering the construction site each game day. These plans included installing fencing to direct foot traffic, guardrails and temporary concrete and asphalt walkways. Hensel Phelps and the University of Texas Athletics Department provided special signage, monitors and information kiosks along each pathway from two hours before kickoff until one hour after each game ended.

Results

The Darrell K. Royal Texas Memorial Stadium South End Zone Addition was completed on schedule and in time for the 2021 football season with no lost time incidents and no impact on football operations. The University of Texas System promotes safety in construction through their Safety Through Exemplary Performance (STEP) Award, which recognizes projects and contractors demonstrating exceptional leadership that delivers safety excellence. UT STEP Awards are awarded at four levels; Hensel Phelps achieved both Gold and Silver STEP Awards for this project.