Texas awards $70 million to rebuild Irving’s aging drainage channel, cut flood risk
(UI) — The City of Irving has been awarded $70 million from the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) to modernize one of its largest and most deteriorated drainage channels, marking a major step forward in the city’s flood prevention efforts, according to KERA News.
City officials said the multi-phase project will enhance flood protection for more than 240 homes along local creeks by expanding capacity and strengthening the system’s ability to handle major storms. The first phase of construction is already underway.
“These neighborhoods are so flat the [flood waters] jump the creek and go through the residential streets,” said city engineer Walt Thomas, as reported by KERA News. “Keeping the water in the creek without it going into the neighborhood, the first thing the neighborhood is going to experience is that of relief.”
The plan involves replacing and reinforcing about 10,000 feet of concrete channel lining, adding new concrete walls and base, and relocating existing water and sewer lines. The redesign also improves neighborhood safety by deepening sections of the channel to deter trespassers from entering yards along the floodway.
The latest TWDB allocation includes $51.25 million in zero-interest financing and $18.75 million in grant funding, bringing Irving’s total state-backed flood mitigation support to $115 million to date.
City officials said they are seeking an additional $35.6 million to fund the next phase along North Delaware Creek, which includes installation of a 20-inch sewer line within the new drainage structure.
Thomas said the city’s ability to move quickly on funding applications stems from prior experience with TWDB and having pre-approved borrowing capacity from the City Council.
The full project, encompassing four phases, is expected to be completed by 2030 and will significantly reduce flooding risks across several Irving neighborhoods.
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