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Diversion board celebrates Red River structure opening as construction advances across project footprint
Summary
Board members marked the Red River structure rerouting and received a progress update showing major reaches and structures advancing, with the overall project reporting significant excavation and several reaches over 50% complete; no formal board action was required.
Metro Flood Diversion Authority board members on Aug. 28 marked the ceremonial rerouting of the Red River through the new control structure and heard staff reports that major construction elements across the diversion project are advancing. The board’s executive director and construction managers described the Red River structure as a milestone while outlining the next work areas and near-term risks.
The Red River structure is now operating in place following an event earlier in August, and the authority said the structure itself is about 82% complete. "It turned out to be just a wonderful event and something that I think we can all be proud of in celebrating the opening of that structure and rerouting of the river," Jason Benson, executive director, told the board.
The board heard a detailed construction update from Tom Fuchs, senior construction manager, and other project staff. The Southern Embankment work continues, with the main Camel Hump reach (reach SE 2 B) reported at about 52% complete. Other embankment reaches reported were SE4 at about 11% complete and SE3 at about 6% complete. Fuchs said the Maple River Aqueduct structure is largely complete and crews have begun installing mechanical systems such as lift gates and heating. Work on the Cheyenne River Aqueduct was described as roughly 50%–60% complete.
Project controls staff reported nearly 37,000,000 cubic yards of excavation completed for the diversion channel to date, with intense activity concentrated on the project’s south end (reaches 7, 11 and 13). The update noted multiple roadway and railroad crossings under construction, including work at I-94, BNSF Prosper and the BNSF KO crossing; crews placed bridge girders this month at the KO crossing and a bridge deck at Prosper.
The authority also discussed a 30–60 day outlook that identified several structures the contractor hopes to open this fall — including work to reopen County Road 81 and portions of I-29 — but staff cautioned the schedule remains weather-dependent. "The intent was to get the KO open yet this year. However, that is purely dependent upon weather," project staff said.
On safety, staff reported one recordable injury and two first-aid incidents in the reporting period. The recordable event involved stitches after a circular saw mishap; a separate first-aid incident involved gasoline splashing into an employee’s face and did not result in lost-time.
Project financial planning and milestone payments were discussed in the update to provide context for upcoming expenditures; staff noted anticipated milestone payments to the developer to be made later this year. Board members asked questions but took no formal action on construction items during the meeting.
For more visuals and a longer construction narrative, the authority provided a video and noted outreach by the communications team highlighting the Red River structure event.
