A new drainage project in Harlingen's Spanish Acres and Secluded Acres neighborhoods is expected to help reduce flooding in those areas.

City leaders say widening the ditches is only one part of a larger plan. Cameron County Drainage District No. 5 is expected to upsize its portion of the North Main Drain from Loop 499 toward the Arroyo Colorado.

The city is also working on a 13-acre detention pond off Breedlove Road.

Harlingen Commissioner Daniel Nemecio Lopez says the city's own crews are already moving on to other flood-prone areas. Lopez says equipment has been moved to Hickory Hill, where work is underway on a large detention pond.

After that, crews are expected to target White Oaks and 13th Street.

"We're moving as much dirt as fast as we can so that we can help alleviate these drainage concerns that are very valid," Lopez said. "We're looking forward to building Harlingen, not only getting us from where we were to where we need to be, but also building us towards the future."

Even with the new drainage capacity in place, Lopez says the city is keeping two dedicated pumps ready for the neighborhoods, one for Spanish Acres and one for Secluded Acres.

If water starts rising during a major storm, crews have another way to move it out. Neighbors in the area say they are hopeful after years of major flood issues.

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