Bastrop plans $2.6 million river stabilization project

Bastrop city staff submitted a detailed application with project information to the GLO on Monday after Bastrop City Council approved a resolution in favor of the stabilization project on June 10.

“Proposed improvements include adding additional rock vanes to encourage sediment deposition and natural bank stabilization near the Loop 150/Chestnut Street bridge, and riparian plantings to restore natural bank protection with roots and vegetation,” according to a staff report document from Bastrop Finance Director Judy Sandroussi.

Riparian restoration is a technique that relies on the addition of native plant species along creek and river-banks to help degraded areas with erosion and flooding downstream, according to the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center in Austin.

Although the construction of the stabilization project—which would enhance approximately 1,200 feet of river bank—is estimated to cost nearly $2.4 million, engineering, environmental and administration services are among the additional costs that will bring the total bill to approximately $2.6 million, according to the resolution.

Engineering services would be financed through the fiscal year 2026 Capital Fund, according to the staff report.

Bastrop city staff noted how the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers permitting process could be lengthy, that dewatering would require an aquatic resources relocation plan and a Texas Parks and Wildlife Department permit, and the need to close trails during construction as challenges that could impact the construction timeline.

Why?

The stabilization project was not the first option the city of Bastrop wanted to apply its CDBG-MIT Program funds toward the Blakey Lane extension project, according to the staff report.

However, Bastrop city staff noted how an extended timeline needed to acquire right-of-way along Blakey Lane via eminent domain later made the project unsuitable for the CDBG-MIT Program.

“So once we realized that, we had to pivot away and find a new project,” Vivianna Andres, Bastrop city manager assistant, told Community Impact June 17. “We submitted the new application for the river stabilization project yesterday right before 5 p.m., so we’re still waiting to hear back to see if the project will even be awarded the funds. We think we have a great project, obviously, or else we wouldn’t have submitted it, but we’re unclear as to what the actual outcomes are even going to be.”