Fresh outlook invigorates Waller Creek

AUSTIN (KXAN) - For years, Austin’s Waller Creek has been set back because of flooding, erosion and litter.

To combat those issues, the city of Austin’s Public Works Department is working on constructing the Waller Creek Tunnel Outlook project.

The project focuses on those problems, with the goal of bringing the creek back to life.

The mile-long tunnel will redirect flood waters south of 12th Street and carry them to an outlet lagoon on the shore of Lady Bird Lake.

The tunnel will take about 28 acres of downtown land out of the 100-year floodplain, said officials.

The outlook facility is located south of the Trinity Street cul-de-sac off Caesar Chavez Street close to the recently completed Parks and Recreation Department Boathouse.

The plan includes a lagoon about 150 feet in diameter and 50 feet deep. In addition, it has a maintenance road and a coffer dam, which will pump out the flood water.

When the development is finished, the coffer dam will be removed so that the water can flow into the lagoon.

Officials said it will look like a natural wetland covered with vegetation when it is completely done. The construction is expected to be finished in 2014.

After the tunnel is complete, crews will work on a restoration project, which will build new amenities including trails, wetlands, landscaping and a scenic overlook.