MIDLAND COUNTY, Texas — All of Texas knows the saying, "When it rains, it pours," all too well.
Midlanders and Odessans are always grateful for the rain when it comes, but all that water needs somewhere to go, or residents risk flooded homes and submerged 18-wheelers.
Midland County commissioners have taken steps to address some of the challenges that arise when rain hits the area. Hopefully, it won’t be a problem much longer.
Director of public works for Midland County, Andrew Avis, said, "the commissioners court approved two actions that impact a drainage project, a future drainage project associated with the west side of the county."
The first project focuses on improving drainage flow under Interstate 20. The second, still in the planning stages, will add new drainage pipes near Faudree Rd.
There has been a long-standing need for better drainage systems throughout both cities, and addressing the problem requires cooperation between the city and the Texas Department of Transportation.
"An AFA is essentially a contract between the Texas government and Midland County that allows us to negotiate and exchange resources—whether it’s money or design planning—and share the responsibility of improving drainage," said Avis.
Over the next 10 years, these new drainage systems are expected to improve flood control and water management during heavy rains as part of a much larger project. However, the work along I-20 and Faudree Rd. is a critical part of that effort.
"There are a few areas that experience localized flooding nearly every time it rains," Avis said. "This project specifically targets an area near Faudree Road and Business I-20 that flooded during the last rain. The goal of public works is to improve the entire county's flood management systems—whether natural waterways or man-made flood control devices—so they function as efficiently as possible."
Like any major project, there will be challenges, but Midland County officials are confident that the West Drainage Project will benefit the entire community.