Raymondville, TX (KRGV) — The massive Raymondville Drain flood control project has cleared two federal reviews, though price estimates vary sharply—from a $500 million local projection to a federal estimate approaching $1 billion.

Some work is already underway, but the rest of the project still needs congressional approval and more funding. The plan to expand the drainage system has been in the works since the 1980s.

In downtown Raymondville, business owner Francisco Ledesma said flooding used to reach inside his store every year. 

Ledesma said one storm caused him to lose about 10,000 rolls of film in his store. 

“And mind you, we had them on stands, but we still got a lot of water,” Ledesma said, adding that running the business also meant preparing for the next big storm.

“We've been here 16 years already, and it was a constant battle against every storm all the time,” Ledesma said.

The project calls for nearly 14 miles of new channels, improvements to another 43 miles, and a 270-acre detention basin that would temporarily hold floodwater. Hidalgo County Drainage District No. 1 is spearheading the project.

The district says the system is designed to manage water from about 60% of the county while also helping communities in Willacy County. 

“Not only will it allow for a better movement of water through our system, but it will actually create capacity in our existing system that we already have, our north main drain, so it impacts the eastern part of our county as well,” drainage district general manager Raul Sesin said.

Some work has already been completed west of I-69C, and crews are now building areas to hold rainwater east of the highway. Local officials want to get the project included in the 2026 Water Resources Development Act.

That designation would authorize the federal government to cover 65% of the project's cost, with the remaining 35% funded locally.

 “It looks like they're going in the right direction. So hopefully they can keep this up,” Ledesma said.

There is still no date for when the entire project will be finished.