January Drive Flood Risk Reduction Project Update
April 2025
On Wednesday, April 16, the City of Austin Watershed Protection Department and Capital Delivery Services hosted a virtual Meet The Contractor event to share details on the January Drive Flood Risk (FRR) Reduction project and upcoming construction. In January, the Austin City Council awarded the project to the selected contractor, Austin Underground, Inc., and approved the construction contract for approximately $2 million.
Project Overview
This project will upgrade the storm drain system on January Drive to help reduce the risk of flooding. The new, larger storm drainpipe will help reduce flood risk for several homes, running between August Drive and the outfall on Walnut Creek off February Drive.
Project Objectives
- Reduce the risk of flooding from an undersized drain system.
- Bring new infrastructure up to current standards where possible
- Design system to be easily accessible for maintenance by WPD staff
- Preserve existing inlets where possible
- Restore buyout lots and prepare to transfer land ownership to the Parks and Recreation Department Problem Statement
- Minimize disturbance to existing outfall area and Critical Environmental Features (CEFs)
Meet the Contractor event - April 16, 2024
Meeting Notes & Follow Ups
- There are no plans to install a detention pond. The Watershed Protection Department has removed sediment and vegetation from the detention pond on Walnut Ridge Drive, West of the project limits. This project will establish a “Grow Zone” habitat of native plantings to stabilize the outfall area and creek.
- The project team is coordinating with Texas Gas Sevice and Google Fiber to complete the relocations/adjustments needed to install the new storm drain system. Both Google Fiber and Texas Gas Service will work within our project limits to relocate or adjust as needed their utilities to allow us to build our project as designed.
- The contractor is planning to work Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. If they are behind schedule, they may work occasionally on Saturdays, but do not anticipate working on any Sundays.
- The existing storm drain system will be abandoned in place and filled with concrete. The existing inlets will be connected to the new system.
- Residents at the meeting requested that construction noise be limited.
- Residents will be able to use February Drive and January Drive to enter and leave the neighborhood, although there will be detours in place to direct traffic around closed sections of the roads.
- No speed bumps will be installed with this project due to limited project funding.
City of Austin permitted construction hours are:
- Monday through Friday: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Weekend work as needed, based on schedule.
- Communities to be informed prior to any planned weekend work.
Planned Project Milestones & Anticipated Timeline:
- Request for Council Action: January 30, 2025
- Construction Start: May 2, 2025
- The contract allows 350 calendar days for completion of this project.
Notice:
Please note that as with any construction project, schedules are projected as accurately as possible, and all dates are subject to change due to the nature of construction and weather.
This is an active construction site. For the safety of the public, unauthorized entry is not permitted. Your patience and cooperation are appreciated!
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