Buffalo Bayou North Bank Trail (Upper Jensen Drive)

In 1836, the Allen brothers founded the city of Houston, Texas and established the area near the waterway, Allen’s Landing. This 52-mile waterway became known as the Buffalo Bayou, servicing the passage of ships from Houston to Galveston Bay and earning its significance in the area as a landmark for entertainment, recreation and public art.

In 2025, the Buffalo Bayou North Bank Trail improvement project began to transform the community and provide long-term infrastructure durability. Once an overlooked industrial edge of the city, the area began a rapid revitalization as new residents and businesses flooded the area. To meet the needs of the growing community, a unique, elevated deck was added to the trail. This type of trail design is vastly different than the flatland trails that tend to be more common throughout Houston. The North Bank Trail would now be an inviting space for runners, cyclists, and families to enjoy the beauty of the once desolate area.

Knowing the steel components of the trail and elevated deck would be exposed to the Houston heat and moisture from the waterway, it was apparent that a durable and long-lasting coating protection system would be required. Hot-dip galvanizing was the only coating system capable of delivering the performance needed in this marine environment near the Bayou. It was also the only coating that would provide long-term protection, allowing the customer to save a substantial amount of time and money to upkeep the integrity of the steel members.

Aesthetics were also a major consideration at the start of the design process. The customer expressed that the new construction would need to seamlessly match the pre-existing nearby structures. The galvanizer worked alongside Goldline International to educate and bring understanding of the zinc’s metallurgical properties, ensuring the team’s expectations were aligned.

Future expansion of the trail has been considered amongst the project owners with plans to continue growing into the North and South Banks, eventually connecting these corridors through downtown. Choosing to hot-dip galvanize the trail ensures the infrastructure will continue to serve the area of Houston and beyond for many decades with minimal maintenance.