
['Epic Helicopters', 'LLC / Brian Dunaway']
The Fort Worth Central City Flood Control Project is steadily moving forward, ushering in the next phase of progress in a journey that’s as much about safeguarding the city's future as it is about honoring its history. With crucial utility relocations taking center stage, the groundwork is being laid for the eagerly anticipated bypass channel — a critical component in Fort Worth’s ongoing flood protection and revitalization efforts, according to the City’s website.
Before the construction of the bypass channel can take flight, there’s a rather intricate dance of logistics and coordination underway. All existing infrastructure — city utilities, franchise utilities, storm drain systems — currently occupy the space that will soon be home to the bypass channel. To make room for this ambitious plan, these utilities must be either relocated or completely removed.
Clair Davis, senior capital projects officer at FWLab, puts it simply: “For the Fort Worth Central City Flood Control Project to be constructed, all the existing storm drain systems and all other public/private infrastructure in the path of the bypass channel must be removed or relocated.” This monumental task is not one that can be rushed; it requires thoughtful planning and a careful touch, especially when you’re dealing with systems that have been part of the city's fabric for years.
One of the more visible challenges lies with Oncor, the utility company responsible for large electric transmission towers situated directly in the path of the bypass channel. In early December, the Fort Worth City Council approved $3.2 million for the relocation of these towers— a crucial move to keep the project on track. The good news? The Tarrant Regional Water District (TRWD) will reimburse the costs. It’s a step forward, but like every aspect of this project, it’s just one piece of a much bigger puzzle.
Davis is quick to point out the heavy lifting required behind the scenes to keep the project flowing smoothly. "There is a significant amount of interagency coordination on these projects, including a bi-weekly Project Delivery Team meeting that I run that includes appropriate staff members from the City, TRWD, and the franchise utility coordinators." That level of cooperation is essential when you’re managing a complex and technically demanding operation like this one.
Among the most challenging components is the New Main Street Outfall and Eighth Avenue storm drain relocations. This involves tunneling under an existing levee with three 104-inch tunnels to house three 72-inch drainage pipes — no small feat. The remaining work here includes intricate hand tunneling before crews can move forward with the construction of sluice gates, junction boxes, and the final drainage pipe installation. Despite the complexity, Davis is optimistic: “The New Main Street Outfall and Eighth Avenue project remains fully funded and on track for an August 2025 completion.”
Alongside this, there are three other storm drain pipe relocation projects — Grand Avenue Phase 2, Viola Street, and Greenleaf Street — each progressing as planned, with funding secured and timelines intact.
The Central City Flood Control Project is not just a construction initiative; it’s a promise to protect over 2,400 acres of homes and businesses nestled along the Clear Fork and West Fork of the Trinity River. Managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), this ambitious project looks back to the early 1900s when the Fort Worth Floodway levees were first constructed in response to devastating flooding. The system was upgraded in the 1950s and again in the 1960s, but recent studies have shown that further modifications are necessary to ensure long-term flood protection.
Looking ahead, the USACE is on track to award the bypass channel construction contract next year, a pivotal milestone in the city’s ongoing fight against flood risks. As Fort Worth grows and evolves, the Central City Flood Control Project is not just about protecting the land—it’s about securing the future of the people who call this vibrant city home.