Flood Prone Road Ready for Bridge

Fort Worth's storm water department reports no major flooding issues in its system after two days of rain. Water was up in some flood prone spots, but there were no road closures reported.

One well known flood spot, a section of Cromwell Marine Creek Road just west of Marine Creek Parkway north of Loop 820, had water on the roadway on Tuesday. However, the solution to the flooding there is almost completed.

Even through sprinkles and pouring rain, cars continued to drive through the standing water on the roadway. Warning lights indicating water over the roadway blinked for east bound drivers but not for west bound drivers.

Cars kicked up water with every pass but just a few feet away there is a bridge that will prevent similar scenes.

"What we wanted to do with this project is to address the long-standing flooding issues that we've had and to improve safety and mobility for the general public and the neighborhoods around here, for the elementary school up the road and the library," said Mike Perkins, project manager for the storm water department.

On Jan. 25, 2012, heavy rains led to major flooding along Marine Creek. One car was swept down stream and another got stuck in the high water on the roadway. No one was hurt but those incidents highlighted the problem.

In fact, the location is one of the top 10 spots the storm water department watches whenever it rains.

"Any small amount of rainfall causes water to go over the roadway and many times it's shut down," Perkins said.

The $1.2 million bridge project is a huge relief for residents and they can't wait for it finally be finished after nearly a year of construction.

"Man, we'd love to see the construction complete," said nearby resident Russell Page. "They're doing a great job and I appreciate the city actually caring enough to do something about it."

The bridge was planned for years and should be open by the spring. While it wasn't able to ease traffic on this week's rainy days, residents know it will in the future.

"It's going to be great when it's finished," Page said. "It's really going to be a big blessing to this area."

Workers only need to pave from the bridge to the existing roadway on the bridge's east side. Riverwater Road will be turned into a cul-de-sac where it use to connect with Cromell Marine Creek Road and other adjustments are still needed.

The storm water department says many other flood protection projects throughout the city are set to begin construction this year.

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