Published: November 02, 2009 10:17 am      

House bill includes $1 million for Joshua

The final 2010 Interior Appropriations bill includes $1 million to upgrade and improve drainage system problems in Joshua, said U.S. Rep. Chet Edwards, D-Waco.

The bill passed the House on Thursday by a 247-178 vote.

Edwards said he expects the bill to pass the Senate and be signed into law by President Obama in short order.

Edwards thanked Joshua Mayor Merle Breitenstein, City Manager Paulette Hartman and city community leaders for bringing the project to his attention.

“The immediate goal of this project is to prevent flooding, improve drainage, and improve quality of life for Joshua residents,” Edwards said. “This project will help local leaders plan for the future, and promote economic growth.”

Edwards said he added the funding to the appropriations bill which, when signed into law, will be distributed directly to the city through a State and Tribal Assistance Grant fro the Environmental Protection Agency.

Specifically, the funding will be used to upgrade and improve the city’s local storm sewer drainage infrastructure, which presently consists largely of open ditches on the sides of the streets.

“Joshua is experiencing rapid growth, and this system has proven inadequate to handle runoff with major rain events the past several years, resulting in increased flooding,” Edwards said.

The funds will help replace open ditch sewers with underground storm sewer pipes, he said.

“We’re grateful to Congressman Edwards for supporting our efforts to improve neighborhood drainage issues within the city of Joshua,” Breitenstein said. “The funding that he secured will help to address watershed problems and greatly improve the flood risk to homes.”