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$37M drainage improvement project designed to combat flooding in NE Harris County
In addition to flood mitigation, the project will improve storm sewer systems, upgrade streets, and provide new sidewalks in the Pine Trails subdivision.
HARRIS COUNTY, Texas — A new drainage project designed to provide much-needed flood relief for residents in the Pine Trails subdivision officially broke ground Thursday.
The $37 million initiative aims to tackle recurring flooding issues that have plagued the northeast Harris County community for years.
The Pine Trails neighborhood was devastated by flooding during Hurricane Harvey in 2017, with 264 homes affected.
“We even had rescue boats come out here and rescue people from the neighborhood right here,” a longtime resident named Jim said.
Daryl Perry, chief inspector with the Harris County Engineering Department, said the project will focus on enhancing drainage capacity, including two detention ponds on the west side of Pine Trails. One of these ponds is already under construction, while the other is expected to be completed within the next year.
“On high-volume water days, all of this is where the water runs. This project is supposed to eliminate the flooding problem they’re having in Pine Trails,” Perry explained.
The detention ponds are just the beginning. In addition to flood mitigation, the project will improve storm sewer systems, upgrade streets, and provide new sidewalks, county leaders say.
The project is being funded by Harris County and the Texas General Land Office. Precinct 2 Commissioner Adrian Garcia and Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham participated in the groundbreaking ceremony.
“Dr. Buckingham, your resources are going to help us provide 5 miles of road improvements, 12 miles of sidewalks, 17,500 improved storm sewers. All of it is designed and intended to help this community from flooding yet again,” Garcia said.
Residents are hopeful the project will improve their quality of life.
“I think it’s good. Anything they do to improve the neighborhood and make the drainage system better, it makes life easier,” he added. “I just appreciate what they’re doing.”
The entire project is expected to take two years to complete.