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Hidalgo County drainage board updates Rainbow and Ray drain projects; approves material procurement and RFPs
Summary
The Hidalgo County Drainage District on Wednesday briefed the board on completed work to restore Rainbow Drain and on feasibility steps for a larger Ray Drain improvement connecting Hidalgo and Willacy counties, and it approved procurement actions including RFP advertising and a valve supply award.
The Hidalgo County Drainage District on Wednesday briefed the board on several active water-management projects and approved multiple procurement actions to support construction and maintenance work.
ACD general manager told the board the Restore Act-funded Rainbow Drain project has been completed and is in the close-out process, and that staff are continuing feasibility work on a separate Ray Drain improvement intended to widen and improve channel connectivity between Hidalgo and Willacy counties. The manager said staff are preparing paperwork for the flood infrastructure fund and related agencies so the district can manage construction if allowed under procurement options being considered (the manager referenced pursuing authorities under Section 203 and possibly Section 204).
The board authorized advertising requests for proposals for fuel (RFP ACD1250611119JS) and for the North Main Drain Expansion Phase 2 (RFP ACD1250631028JS), including language to re-advertise if no bids are received. It also approved awarding a requirements agreement to Works Pipe & Supply for inline check valves (sizes reported to range roughly from 18 inches to 60 inches) to be used in high-water areas. In approving the valve award, staff noted compliance with House Bill 1295 requirements.
Board members asked operational questions about intended valve uses and whether parts would be stocked; staff said the valves would be available for purchase in the stated sizes and used when high-water events require incorporation into existing systems.
The district also approved routine construction application payments and the authority for its general manager to approve change orders up to $50,000 when within statutory limits under the Texas Water Code. The board voted to proceed with real-property acquisition discussed in executive session and authorized the general manager to carry out the transaction as discussed.
Why it matters: The feasibility and funding steps for Ray Drain could determine whether the district can move to design and construction in 2026 and how cross-county coordination with Willacy County will be managed. The procurement actions establish material availability and vendor relationships the district will rely on during storm events.
Speakers quoted or paraphrased in this article are drawn from the meeting transcript and include the district general manager and members of the board.
