HARLINGEN — City officials are tapping federal stimulus money to launch a series of drainage projects aimed at curbing flooding across town.
Earlier this week, commissioners agreed to pull more than $4.5 million from the city’s $21 million share of the American Rescue Plan Act to fund four projects.
Meanwhile, two other projects are underway while three more are in the works.
Last September, commissioners selected nine engineering firms to design the projects.
“We can directly improve the drainage in that area,” Commissioner Rene Perez told commissioners during a meeting Wednesday, referring to areas near the city’s core. “Along with other projects going on in that area, together they’re going to alleviate the flooding in that area. There’s other projects in the works that are going to work with this project to mitigate (flooding) in that area.”
During the meeting, commissioners approved a $2.7 million project in which Houston-based Consor Engineers aims to upgrade drainage lines along a 1.5-mile stretch in the Ed Carey Boulevard and Business 77 area.
Amid discussions, Commissioner Frank Morales requested officials negotiate with the firm to try to bring down costs.
As part of the package, commissioners approved a $1.74 million project in which Civil Systems Engineering, a Houston-area firm, plans to improve drainage lines along a half-mile section in the Pickens Street area.
In the Treasure Hills area, commissioners approved a $24,000 project in which Mercedes-based Guzman and Munoz Engineering and Surveying is proposing to install 24-inch pipelines along Jacaranda Drive to connect to 30-inch lines along Willowwicke Drive.
Plan aims at widening lines in Jackson Avenue area
Meanwhile, commissioners also approved a $179,000 project in which Cobb Findley’s design calls for RBM Construction to install 24-inch and 36-inch storm sewer lines in the area along Jackson Avenue and C Street.
“This project will increase the size of the lines, will add volume and will increase capacity of the system,” City Engineer Luis Vargas told commissioners.
During discussion, Commissioner Daniel Lopez suggested officials install 36-inch lines across the entire project area.
“This area floods really bad,” he said. “Flooding is an area I don’t mind being a little more aggressive with.”
Meanwhile, Morales said floodwaters have risen as high as two to three feet in an area gym.
“This area in 2008, 2018, 2019 got flooded severely,” he told officials.
Stimulus funding series of projects
Last September, commissioners selected Mission-basd TEDSI Infrastructure Group to upgrade drainage in the Jefferson Avenue area while picking Halff and Associates, a McAllen firm, to build a detention pond in the Lozano Street area.
During upcoming meetings, officials are planning to work with SAMES Inc. on a project aimed at improving drainage in the Sun Chase Drive and Sabal Palm Drive area.
Meanwhile, commissioners have picked R. Gutierrez Engineering Corp., a Pharr firm, to develop drainage plans in the Fair Park Boulevard area while Weslaco-based SWG Engineering is working on a proposal to upgrade drainage in the Adams Crossing subdivision, where residents blame a developer’s design for flooding.
SAMES, R. Gutierrez and SWG are working to present their proposals, Vargas told commissioners.
