The McNeil Drainage Project is simply adding to or increasing the size of some existing drainage culverts under the Union Pacific tracks.  With the extension of the new McNeil Road the need to increase the drainage flows became apparent.  The existing culverts under the tracks are old CMP pipes and very undersized for the flows of the new Roadway and surrounding area would generate.  So, the new culverts were designed and the process of applying for permission from UPRR was started.  The City received permission after several years of working with UPRR.  The project will include adding one new steel 42-inch culvert at one location and adding two 48-inch steel culverts east of the other location.  They will be jack and bored under the tracks and outfall to Brushy Creek.

Project update: May 2026

The variances have been approved but due to state law the reimbursement for the RailPros, who oversees the project for UPRR, to the contractor cannot be paid directly to the contractor.  The process of getting an agreement with RailPros has been very challenging and after 5 months we have a partially executed agreement is in the works to be fully executed and then we can schedule RailPros again and start back to work.  Estimated time for completion is 3 to 4 weeks after the contractor goes back to work.

Project Update: January 2026

Final approval from the railroad was received in October 2025, and the Notice to Proceed (NTP) was issued on October 8, 2025. During construction, multiple issues were encountered, resulting in the suspension of the boring operation shortly before Thanksgiving. The contractor has since submitted proposed variances to the construction methodology and is currently awaiting approval from Union Pacific Railroad. Work will resume upon receipt of UPRR approval.

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