Del Curto Flood Risk Reduction

Flooding

This project will help with localized flooding. Localized flooding occurs when the manmade storm drain system of pipes and ditches is overwhelmed by heavy rainfall. Localized flooding occurs away from creeks.

The existing Del Curto storm drain system straddles South Lamar Boulevard. It consists of 9,300 feet of pipe, a section of open channel and 38 inlets. The system is not large enough to drain the amount of stormwater that it needs to. There are at least 20 buildings, yards and streets at risk of flooding. This project includes installing new storm drain pipes or upgrading existing ones in the areas shown on the map below.

Project Overview

This project is entirely on the southeast side of Lamar Blvd. It includes the elements described below.

Pipes: We’ll install new storm drain pipes or upgrade existing ones on the streets listed below. The map underneath this section shows the locations.

• Bluebonnet Lane
• Del Curto Road
• Delcrest Drive
• Iva Lane
• Kinney Road
• Southland Drive
• Across properties between Kinney Road and West Bouldin Creek

Curb and Gutter: We’ll add curb and gutter on part of Bluebonnet Lane.

Easements: We need a number of easements, some to provide space for water to flow, some to allow us to install, access and maintain pipes and other infrastructure.

Mobility: In partnership with the Corridor Program Office, we’ll make mobility improvements to increase safety and enhance traffic flow, including:

• A new roundabout at the Del Curto Road and Bluebonnet Lane intersection.
• A shared-use path for pedestrians and cyclists on Bluebonnet Lane, between South Lamar Blvd. and Del Curto Road.

These mobility improvements are shown on the map below. More information is available at AustinTexas.gov/SouthLamar.

Project Map

​

Drainage Easements

We have acquired drainage easements from some property owners within the project area. An easement gives us the legal right to use a parcel of land for a specific and limited purpose. There are two purposes for a drainage easement. It may be needed to give rain water a place to flow. It may also be needed to install, access and maintain pipes to divert rain water. This prevents large amounts of water from accumulating during heavy rainfall. The area designated as a drainage easement is limited for any use other than growing grass and planting flowers.

Status and Timeline

Our capital improvement process includes the following phases:

• Preliminary Engineering – when a solution is identified and costs are estimated.
• Design – when the details are worked out and construction plans drawn up.
• Permitting and Bidding – when a contractor is hired and all permits are acquired.
• Construction – when the project is built.

This project is currently in the Permitting Phase. Construction should begin in 2025. 

Documents

• Presentation from Public Meeting on September 2023

Contacts

• Nathan Kyer, 512-974-6392, or email Nathan Kyer
• Abhi Raghavan, Project Manager, 512-974-7810, or email Abhi Raghavan.
   

To be added to the email distribution list, please send an email to Joan Esquivel.