Construction Update – January 8, 2021
Construction Update – Drainage and Levee Improvements
The following is an update on the FBCLID 2 project to rehabilitate and improve drainage ditches and levees around the District.
Ditch A Widening Phase I
The contractor has completed the majority of construction in the downstream segment of Ditch A, between the Little Pump Station and Sweetwater Blvd. The ditch excavation is complete in this area, but some smaller clean up tasks still need to be finished. The contractor is currently widening Ditch A upstream of Sweetwater Blvd. Approximately half the excavation is complete on the northern ditch slope between Ditch D and Sweetwater Blvd, adjacent to the Colony Meadows neighborhood. This segment of Ditch A widening is currently scheduled to be complete in early February.
In mid-February, construction will move further upstream by Ditches D and E, and excavation will shift to the southern bank of Ditch A, adjacent to the Woodstream Trail and neighborhood. The haul route for dump trucks will move to the second, upstream Sweetwater Blvd. bridge by the Sweetwater Country Club golf course.
East Levee Raising
The East Levee raising between Highway 6 and Commonwealth Blvd. is scheduled to be complete in January. The contractor will finish hauling fill material from Ditch A this week. The next step is to spread out the topsoil that is stockpiled along the levee toe so that turf can be reestablished. The drainage swales that are parallel to the bottom of the levee will also be restored or regraded to improve drainage.
South Levee Raising
Beginning the week of January 11, levee raising operations will move to the South Levee. The levee raising scope has increased because the quality of fill material from Ditch A is exceeding expectations, which means more dirt is suitable for raising levees. Reusing fill inside FBCLID 2 is also more cost effective than paying the contractor to dispose of material in an offsite location. The first segment of South Levee Raising between the West Levee and Elkins Road is scheduled to be complete in February, and the second segment between Elkins Road and Knightsbridge Blvd. will be complete in June.
Ditch E Rehabilitation
The contractor has started grading the bottom of Ditch E and is scheduled to begin installing the articulating concrete block armoring the week of January 11. Construction in Ditch E will be complete during Summer 2021.
Ditch C Repairs
The contractor will completely reconstruct failing ditch slopes using better soil and install new armoring in the ditch bottom where the sloughing has caused damage. Three areas of repair are planned in the upstream end of Ditch C and Ditch C-1, and work is scheduled to begin later this month.
Ditch A Widening Phase II
Ditch A Widening Phase II is currently scheduled for bidding and construction as a separate project later this year. Phase II will begin at the second, upstream Sweetwater Blvd. bridge that is adjacent to the golf course and continue to the upstream end of Ditch A, behind the Austin Park neighborhood. Engineers have completed the flood control portion of the design to widen the drainage channel. However, many trees and some golf course amenities conflict with this design and must be removed and/or relocated. FBCLID 2 is still finalizing these design details and coordinating plans with Sweetwater Country Club.
The attached map highlights all project locations. Please be aware of equipment and traffic when traveling through these construction zones. FBCLID 2 can be contacted directly with any questions or concerns: www.fbclid2.com/contact.
Ditch A Widening (downstream view from Sweetwater Blvd.)