Release Date: September 16, 2010
Office of District 1 Councilwoman Mary Alice P. Cisneros: 207-7279
City and TxDOT work together to resolve IH-35 Flooding
The City of San Antonio is working collaboratively with the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to alleviate flooding on the lower level of Interstate Highway 35.
During heavy rain events, the lower level of IH-35 near the San Pedro and Downtown area has experienced flooding and has been closed until the water recedes for the safety of motorists.
In an effort to provide a viable solution to this flooding concern, the City and TxDOT are working to identify the possible contributing factors. "The goal of this collaboration is to develop a long-term plan that will help this location become safer during rain events and help diminish the inconvenience for motorists," states Councilwoman Mary Alice Cisneros.
Federal law requires that interstate highways and facilities such as underpasses be designed for the 50-year storm event. The 50-year storm design frequency means there is a two percent chance that the flood will be equaled or exceeded in any given year.
The City of San Antonio's Department of Public Works has met with Mario Medina, District Engineer for TxDOT as well as with TxDOT Hydraulic Engineers to work on identifying a strategy and associated funding to resolve this matter.