Project Overview
The Kemp-Monroe Drainage Phase 2 project was a major storm drainage and street rehabilitation initiative for the City of Wichita Falls. As a critical continuation of the program’s first phase, this project was designed to transition stormwater from surface streets into a high-capacity underground system. Spanning the Kemp/Monroe corridor, the work combined heavy civil drainage installation with comprehensive roadway reconstruction, utility relocations, and safety improvements. With a final contract value of approximately $4.5 million, the project stands as a signature infrastructure effort for the City’s Stormwater Drainage Improvement Fund.
The Problem
- Chronic Nuisance Flooding: The intersection of Kemp Street and Avenue M suffered from recurring flooding that disrupted daily traffic and damaged local infrastructure.
- Public Safety Risks: During significant rain events, water depths on Monroe Street could reach up to 4 feet, rendering the corridor impassable for residents and pedestrians.
- Emergency Access Barriers: High water levels frequently blocked emergency vehicles, creating a life-safety risk for the surrounding neighborhood during storms.
- Residential Vulnerability: Dozens of homes in the immediate area were at risk of property damage during 100-year rain events due to inadequate drainage capacity.
Our Solution
MH Civil Constructors delivered a massive subterranean drainage network and surface overhaul to reclaim the corridor from floodwaters. The technical core of the project involved the installation of thousands of linear feet of high-capacity conveyance, including 42-inch RCP storm sewers and an extensive network of reinforced concrete box culverts ranging in size from 5′ x 5′ to 7′ x 5′. To facilitate this new system, the team managed significant utility relocations, including nearly 1,500 linear feet of 12-inch C-900 waterline and multiple sewer lowerings.
The surface of the corridor was completely transformed through the placement of over 19,000 square yards of 6-inch reinforced concrete paving, complemented by the installation of 25 large-scale curb inlets and modern pedestrian ramps. Throughout the construction process, MH Civil maintained a complex traffic-control package to ensure public safety while navigating the “dips and ditches” of the existing terrain to provide a level, resilient roadway.
The Results
The project achieved its primary engineering goals, effectively reducing the 100-year flood depth on Monroe Street from 4.0 feet to a manageable 1.3 feet, ensuring that emergency vehicles can maintain access during even the most severe weather. The new system now provides direct protection for 35 homes that were previously vulnerable to catastrophic storm events.
Financially and operationally, the project was a success, finishing with 101.5% of adjusted bid quantities delivered and a final value of $4.496 million. By moving stormwater underground and rehabilitating the street surface, MH Civil has helped Wichita Falls eliminate nuisance flooding at key intersections and provided the community with a safer, more reliable transit corridor for years to come.