HARRIS COUNTY, Texas (KTRK) -- Millions of dollars will fund a project that aims to protect Harris County homes from flooding.
Poor Farm Ditch is a man-made waterway that runs through West University and Southside Place before emptying into Brays Bayou. It's one of the county's oldest ditches and in desperate need of repair.
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After years of negotiations, all levels of government pitched in to pay the more than $30 million price tag to rehabilitate the channel.
The funding breaks down as $5.7 million from the Harris County Flood Control District, $150,000 from the City of Southside Place, $150,000 from the City of West University Place, $16.9 million from state Rep. Ann Johnson and Sen. Joan Huffman, and $9.9 million from Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher.
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The project is expected to help Poor Farm Ditch prevent catastrophic flooding and protect 500 homes in the area.
The funding will support building a channel structure and rehabilitating existing channels by improving water capacity, reinforcing access ramps, and ensuring Harris County Flood Control District can continue to provide maintenance.