Public Works Week in Review for August 7, 2025

The Public Works Department is made up of various sub-departments including Fleet, Line Repair, Streets/Stormwater and Traffic, Wastewater, and Water. Each week, over 100 employees are responsible for the maintenance, monitoring, and improvement of existing and new infrastructure across League City which includes everything from roadways and traffic lights to storm drains, sewers, and water production.

Below are some tips and projects they are working on:

Manhole Repair

The City of League City swiftly addressed a citizen-reported road hazard at the intersection of League City Parkway and Brittany Lakes. After receiving the complaint regarding unsafe conditions, an investigation revealed that a sewer manhole needed to be lowered to allow for proper street repair.

The Line Repair Department took the lead on the project, identifying the issue and safely lowering and setting the manhole to the correct street grade through its Inflow and Infiltration (I&I) team. Coordination with the Traffic Department ensured that the work zone was secured with proper traffic control measures, maintaining safety for both workers and the public throughout the operation.

To complete the project, the Streets Department has scheduled a concrete repair to restore the roadway to a safe and durable condition. This effort demonstrates the City's commitment to responsive service, interdepartmental collaboration, and maintaining safe infrastructure for all residents.

Mack Truck Turbo Failure and Repair Report

Overview:
Fleet Maintenance ensures that all vehicles and equipment across departments are adequately maintained and operational. A Mack truck was recently brought in after experiencing a loss of power. This report outlines the diagnostic process, repair procedures, and outcome.

Diagnostics:
Upon arrival, the vehicle underwent a comprehensive diagnostic inspection. Technicians identified a failure in the turbocharger, specifically an internal impeller failure. This issue compromised the engine's ability to generate sufficient boost pressure, resulting in reduced performance.

Repair Process:
Once the necessary replacement parts were received, Fleet Maintenance personnel began the complex repair process, which included the following steps:

• Removal of the failed turbo assembly.
• Disconnection and removal of all charge air system piping and hoses.
• Removal and inspection of the charge air cooler and intake assembly.
• Thorough cleaning and inspection of all reusable components.
• Installation of a new turbo assembly.
• Reinstall all cleaned components and reassemble the system.

Testing and Return to Service:
After reassembly, the vehicle was allowed to idle and run under observation. No further issues were detected during this testing phase. Once operational integrity was confirmed, the truck was returned to the ready line and cleared for active service.

Mulching Trees

Benefits of Mulch:

• Retains moisture
• Adds organic matter
• Moderates soil temperature
• Inhibits weed growth
• Improves soil texture

Selecting Mulch:

• Choose one of the following: Cypress, Cedar, Shredded Hardwood, Shredded Pine
• Avoid the following: red mulch, black mulch, brown mulch, other artificially colored mulch (wood source can be questionable)

Applying Mulch:

• Maximum depth = 4 inches
• Don't pile up against the trunk (holds moisture against trunk = decay)
• May choose to make a donut shape around the tree (aka "tree well")