Hidalgo County breaks ground on North Ruth Road siphon to improve school routes and reduce canal crossing hazards

Hidalgo County Precinct 4 held a groundbreaking Oct. 16 for the North Ruth Road siphon project, a collaboration between Precinct 4, Hidalgo County Irrigation District No. 1, Hidalgo County Drainage District and the Texas Department of Transportation.

Scope and purpose: Commissioner Elie Torres said the project will "significantly improve public access and safety for many of our residential neighborhoods" and serve multiple nearby schools, including Elias Longoria Middle School and Flores Zapata Elementary. SDI Engineering’s Isael Posadas said the work aims to "get rid of this little bottleneck" by removing a low canal pocket and lowering the roadway that currently creates a hump at the crossing.

Technical details and schedule: Posadas described extending about 400 feet of new pipeline, including a 54‑inch main run plus approximately 50 feet of 72‑inch pipe at the siphon tie‑in. He said the irrigation canal at the site is a main branch that delivers water by gravity from the Rio Grande pumping system and that the project had to be carefully timed to avoid disrupting water deliveries. Cost cited in county remarks was about $654,000 and construction was scheduled through mid‑October (county estimate provided during the ceremony).

Partnership and responsibilities: Hidalgo County Irrigation District No. 1 will oversee project management and construction, Posadas said; the irrigation district will plan shutdowns and tie‑ins to avoid extended service interruption for farms and downstream users. TxDOT and the Hidalgo County Drainage District presented engineering support and coordination.

Community impact: County leaders emphasized that the immediate safety benefit is to students and families crossing the roadway daily and that the siphon will be an interim step before a future bridge widening. Commissioner Torres asked for patience from residents while crews complete the work.

Source: Remarks and technical descriptions provided Oct. 16 during a Precinct 4 event, including project remarks by Commissioner Elie Torres, Hidalgo County Irrigation District president Robert Bell and SDI Engineering’s Isael Posadas.