DRAINAGE DESIGN CASE STUDY:

The Natchez Trace Parkway Bridge Abutments in Houston, Mississippi underwent a drainage performance upgrade led by the Eastern Federal Lands Highway Division. The project focused on installing JET Filter’s maintainable weep hole drainage system to extend drainage functionality through new reinforced concrete barriers, enhancing bridge abutment integrity and stormwater management.

Bridge abutments are particularly prone to damage from hydrostatic pressure buildup and soil erosion, especially in moisture-prone regions like Mississippi. Without a maintainable drainage system, water accumulation behind concrete barriers can lead to:

• Soil migration and wall displacement

• Cracking of the barrier structures

• Long-term infrastructure failure

To mitigate these risks and extend the structure’s life, engineers at Eastern Federal Lands Highway Division incorporated a proven solution: JET Filter System’s maintainable weep hole drains to assist with the Natchez Trace bridge drainage. 

In collaboration with The Eclipse Companies, LLC, the team installed 62 JF4SS stainless steel maintainable weep hole assemblies into the reinforced concrete abutments throughout the project corridor.

✅ 62 units of 4” diameter open-end ASTM 316/316L stainless steel housing

✅ Mirafi® Filter-Weave FW 300 geotextile filter media

✅ Strategically placed through concrete barriers at key drainage zones

This weep hole installation ensures proper concrete abutment drainage through efficient hydrostatic pressure relief, controlled water discharge, and long-term maintainability with access for future flushing or inspection.

When bridge barriers are exposed to excessive rain and poor drainage, the consequences can be severe:

• Erosion weakens the backfill behind walls

• Water pressure forces concrete cracking or displacement

• Maintenance and repair costs multiply

JET Filter’s weep hole drainage system eliminates trapped moisture while allowing easy long-term access for cleaning and inspection—reducing risk and increasing structural longevity.