Council accepts staff recommendation for temporary culvert patch at Vestal Park, defers higher‑cost replacements
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Summary
Staff presented three repair options for a degraded corrugated pipe under Vestal Park. After discussion of safety, modeling and cost, council endorsed an in‑house concrete patch (Option 3) as the most cost‑effective near‑term approach; options to fully replace the crossing remain available for future CIP funding.
Engineering staff presented three design options to address pipe degradation and overtopping at a low‑water crossing on Vestal Park (a tributary to the Salado Creek watershed). The three options and estimated costs provided by staff were:
- Option 1: Replace the existing corrugated metal pipe with two 6x4 concrete box culverts; estimated cost $548,000; model results indicate overtopping reduction to about 0.4 feet during the 10‑year storm and reduced long‑term maintenance needs. - Option 2: Replace the existing pipe with a concrete pipe of the same size (no change in overtopping; estimated cost $371,000) and reduced maintenance needs. - Option 3: In‑house concrete patching of the degraded pipe sections (temporary fix; minimal cost).
Staff noted modeling (San Antonio River Authority draft hydraulic models updated by staff) shows approximately 1.2 feet of overtopping of the road during a 10‑year storm event in the current condition. Council members asked about historical overtopping, structural risk and longevity of patches; staff said patches have lasted several years in past applications but are temporary compared with full replacement. After discussion of safety and cost, council accepted staff's recommendation to perform in‑house concrete patching (Option 3) and remove the project from the active CIP; if future events or inspections indicate the need for a replacement, staff will return with a design and funding recommendation.