The details
According to the release, the $17.54 million will be allocated to the following projects:
- Levee Improvement District No. 10 erosion repair ($8.88 million): repair and strength levee systems at the northwest side of LID 10, which is located north of Hwy. 59 at the Brazos River
- Mustang Bayou detention basin ($7.06 million): enhance water management capabilities by adding a detention basin near Fresno
- Steep Bank Creek erosion repair ($1.59 million): stabilize creek banks near southwest side of Missouri City, in the southern area of Sugar Land
"This funding is a testament to our commitment to building a resilient Fort Bend County,” Fort Bend County Judge KP George said in the release. “Our strategic investment in infrastructure will not only protect our current residents but also support our county’s continued growth and development."
Digging deeper
Fort Bend County will eventually receive a total of $56 million from the GLO for hurricane-relief funding, and this bundle is part of that amount, said Mark Vogler, the Fort Bend County Drainage District general manager and chief engineer.
To get started on the projects, the county is fronting funding for reimbursement from the GLO later, Vogler said.
Zooming out
These projects join three other projects the county is tackling through GLO funds, including two at Hwy. 59 and one at Sugar Land Memorial Park near LID 14. Sugar Land and county officials have worked to secure grant funding to tackle 13 points along the Brazos River deemed the most critical for the erosion.
A 2018 study showed that if Brazos River’s erosion was not addressed, parts of the banks could wash away further, causing billions in damages and potential loss of life due to the impact to infrastructure and homes.
What’s next?
Environmental consultants will begin reviewing the three project sites this summer before starting design for the mitigation projects, Vogler said. Design will take about a year to complete, followed by about a year of construction.
