Next step of Waller Creek tunnel begins

AUSTIN (KXAN) - New construction on the Waller Creek Tunnel Project gets underway Monday.

This new phase called the Waller Creek Tunnel Outlet will allow flood water to end up in Lady Bird Lake.

The idea behind this four-year project is to protect more than 40 buildings and take nearly 28 acres of downtown land out of the 100 year floodplain.

This could also lead to 12 new roads.

The tunnel is 26 feet in diameter and crews have been excavating about 14 feet everyday. When it's finished, the tunnel will be a mile long.

This new outlet facility will be located just south of the Trinity cul-de-sac off Cesar Chavez Street.

While the tunnel will capture and redirect flood water from 12th Street down to the lake, the outlet facility will allow it  to go safely into the lake.

When it's complete there will be a 50-foot deep lagoon that is adjacent to the mouth of Waller Creek.

City officials said it will look like a natural wetland with native plants.

The project is expected to be completed in 2014.