Brazos River Authority authorizes engineering contract for Belton–Stillhouse pipeline

The Brazos River Authority Board of Directors on Jan. 27 authorized the general manager to execute a professional-services contract with Walker Partners LLC not to exceed $27,225,300 to design and permit a raw-water pump station, roughly 7-mile transfer pipeline and outlet structure to move water from Lake Belton to Stillhouse Hollow Lake.

The project, described by staff as a drought-preparedness measure to ensure contracted supplies at Stillhouse Hollow during extended dry periods, will fund detailed engineering, geotechnical work, permitting, easement acquisition and public engagement over a multi-year schedule. Brad Brunette, BRA chief operations officer, said the pipeline “is only about 7 miles” but warned the work is complex because the intake, pump station and outlet structures require specialized analysis and coordination with federal and state agencies.

The board heard that the pipeline is intended to safeguard existing commitments the authority made in the mid-2000s, not to expand supply contracts. Brunette said the transfer would be used primarily in dry years, when Stillhouse Hollow’s native inflows are insufficient. Walker Partners presented a phased scope that includes 30/60/90/100 percent design, risk management and substantial permitting and land-rights work.

Board members pressed staff on costs, contingency and property access. Director Embro abstained from the final vote; other directors voted yes. Blake Keltner, executive projects portfolio manager, said preliminary engineering had been completed and the requested authorization funds detailed design and right-of-way surveying and acquisition. Aaron Archer, project manager for Walker Partners, said the prime team will perform approximately half the work and that the remainder will be handled by specialty subconsultants for geotechnical, permitting and public involvement services.

Directors asked staff to minimize the contingency and to pursue negotiations and cost controls during procurement. Several directors noted the project’s complexity — shaft construction at Belton and rock excavation along the pipeline route — and recommended keeping contingency at a conservative level while assuring flexibility for unforeseen issues.

The board resolution authorizes the general manager/CEO to negotiate and execute the Walker Partners contract for permitting, engineering, ROW acquisition and bid-phase services; the contract term and tasks run through detailed design and pre-construction activities. Construction will be procured separately through future board approvals.

Public comment preceding the item included concerns about building a separate intake when other nearby intakes exist; John Asbury of Temple said in public comment that, “With $90,000,000 you're getting ready to spend on this thing, this could probably be a chunk of change that could be used, more wisely.”

Staff said they will return to the board for construction-phase approvals and will continue outreach with affected landowners and federal land managers.