A project to
restore eroded banks located near a northeast Arlington neighborhood is now
complete. In January 2012, the Water Utilities and Public Works departments
began a streambank stabilization project – using a more natural solution – to
address serious erosion near a manhole and 27” sanitary sewer line located in a
tributary to the Trinity River.
“The City of
Arlington chose a sustainable, cost-effective method to stabilize approximately
700 feet of the creek,” said Mandy Clark, Stormwater Engineering Operations
Manager. “This method is much more natural and pleasing to the eye than a hard
surface solution.”
Because of the
urgent nature of the project, City Council members approved the River Rock
Circle Project in May 2011. A few months later, City Council members approved a
contract with Plano-based Sanco Design, experts in analysis, design and
remediaton of problem drainage, erosion and soil stability.
Choosing the more
natural solution for the project was a new approach for city leaders. In the
past, the city typically dealt with erosion by stabilizing the banks with a
hard surface such as gabions or concrete.
By utilizing
geo-grids, weirs and drop structures, the city saved local taxpayers at least
$160,000. While the final cost of the project was $1.14 million, using gabions
alone would have cost more than $1.3 million and does not include the costs for
engineering, excavation, fill drop structures or headwall.
“Stabilization will
minimize future erosion and require minimal maintenance,” Clark explained.
“Adjacent property owners are pleased with the result and several other cities
and engineers have visited the site to learn about these methods for use in
other areas.”
Clark says the
performance of the stabilization methods will be monitored.
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