Austin looks to reduce new storm drain infrastructure

For one Austin neighborhood, larger storms bring the threat of flooding in streets, yards, and homes. City officials are now in the design phase for solutions to the undersized and aging storm water drain systems in the neighborhoods of the Annie Street project area. 

An engineering report, completed by the city in 2021, identified several issues the city is now looking to address: 

• The current system is almost 75 years old and does not meet regulatory standards. 
• The system cannot move the required amount at peak flows. 
• Sections of the system run through private property, complicating repair and maintenance. 

The preliminary report prioritizes construction of new storm drains that will mitigate flooding impacts resulting from a failing drainage system. The proposed upgrades include 6,380 linear feet of storm drainpipe designed to connect with a storm drain system installed nearby in 2020. 

The project has an estimated cost of $15 million. The city of Austin anticipates construction to begin in the winter of 2024 and completion by the fall of 2027.