The details
The project—which would largely be funded through a nearly $2.4 million grant the city of Bastrop hopes to secure from the Community Development Block Grant-Mitigation Program through the Texas General Land Office—is aimed at reducing the long-term risk of future disasters such as floods through work on 1,200 feet of the east bank of the Colorado River.
The $686,900 in financing will pay for engineering, environmental and administrative services, according to city documents.
About the project
Bastrop city staff submitted a detailed application with project information to the GLO on June 16 after Bastrop City Council approved a resolution in favor of the stabilization project June 10.
“The most critical erosion has been observed near the [Chestnut Street-Loop 150 bridge], where vertical riverbanks are rapidly scouring due to increased flow velocity and turbulence caused by bridge piers,” said Sinem Aka Mudun, a project manager with the city of Bastrop, in a staff report. “These conditions are common at bridge crossings and lead to sediment displacement and slope degradation, especially during and after flood events.”
Proposed improvements include:
- Structural stabilization such as concrete drilled shafts or steel sheet piles
- Rock vanes to redirect flow and promote natural sediment deposition
- Riprap slopes and toe protection to resist scouring forces
- Riparian vegetation and tree planting to encourage long-term bank stability
“We think we have a great project, obviously, or else we wouldn’t have submitted it,” Vivianna Andres, Bastrop city manager assistant, told Community Impact on June 17.