City fights flooding with 2025 Structure Flooding Project
Published on June 25, 2025
When heavy rain rolls through Tyler, the stormwater system works hard behind the scenes to keep streets clear and neighborhoods safe. Several Tyler neighborhoods will soon see major drainage improvements as the City moves forward with a project to prevent structural flooding caused by undersized or outdated stormwater infrastructure.
On Wednesday, June 25, the Council approved a $1,277,421 contract with Reynolds & Kay, LTD, for the 2025 Structure Flooding Project. It will address six locations that have repeatedly experienced flooding, impacting homes, driveways and yards.
"These improvements are about more than pipes and culverts," said Stormwater and Environmental Compliance Engineer Paul Neuhaus. "They’re about giving residents peace of mind when it rains. It’s about protecting homes, families and property."
On Persimmon Drive, crews will replace undersized storm drain components with a 42-inch reinforced concrete pipe and a new 20-foot grated inlet box to ensure the stormwater enters the new storm main. Once work is complete, landscaping, including sod replacement, will restore the area.
In the Haverhill Drive and Old Henderson Highway area, old concrete pipes and headwalls will be replaced with a reinforced concrete box culvert and several new curb inlets. Sidewalks and portions of the street will be repaved, and grassy areas will be restored for improved stormwater flow and pedestrian access.
At Golden Road and Black Fork Creek, improvements will include stormwater channel grading, new toe walls (a low retaining wall, often found at the base of a slope or embankment, designed to stabilize soil and prevent erosion), and heavy-duty concrete riprap to slow erosion. Erosion control measures will be in place throughout the construction.
On Kensington Drive, the drainage system will be upgraded by installing a new 30-inch reinforced concrete pipe and new 15 and 20-foot curb inlets. The project also includes rebuilding sidewalks, driveways and sections of pavement. Rock bedding and stormwater connections will be added to support long-term stormwater flow.
Along Ninth Street, crews will install new reinforced concrete pipes to increase drainage capacity. Driveway and curb repairs, sod replacement, and a new concrete outfall structure will be included in the improvements.
On Princedale, the project will involve overhauling the stormwater system. This will include hundreds of feet of new piping, new inlets, a 5-by-5-foot concrete junction box and outfall protection to direct water away from homes. Crews will also replace sidewalks and fencing and reconnect water services as needed.
The 2025 Structure Flooding Project is funded by the Stormwater Capital Outlay Budget and Half Cent Sales Tax Fund.
Construction will begin later this year and be completed in phases to reduce disruption. While most of the work will happen underground, the benefits will be clear: fewer flood threats, safer streets and stronger peace of mind for Tyler families.