Posted in News
Helotes Drainage Improvement Project – Progress Update
On January 23, 2025, the City of Helotes awarded a contract for a drainage improvement project to restore the capacity and integrity of existing storm drains in two areas of our city:
- 13,400 block of Circle A Trail
- 12,400 block of Parrigin Road
These improvements are designed to protect our neighborhoods from flooding, extend the life of our infrastructure, and enhance roadway safety.
Project Overview
The project began on April 21, 2025, and includes excavation, drainage structure upgrades, concrete flatwork, and roadway restoration.
Because San Antonio Water System (SAWS) utilities were located in both project areas, portions of the work required relocating SAWS water lines. This meant meeting SAWS’ strict standards for materials, installation, and testing. To prevent extended water outages for residents, SAWS required contractors to install temporary water lines before relocating existing lines.
Why the Delays?
- Temporary Water Lines – Hundreds of feet of large-diameter water line had to be installed, pressure-tested, and inspected by SAWS before work could continue. This also meant cutting across some driveways for installation.
- Supply Chain Issues – Specialized SAWS-approved materials experienced delivery delays.
- Weather – Heavy rains from two separate storms delayed construction by approximately 10 days.
- Inspection Waiting Periods – After each work segment, SAWS inspections were required before the contractor could proceed.
These steps were necessary to protect water service for SAWS customers and avoid interruptions that could have lasted 10–12 hours.
Current Status
- Parrigin Road – The existing water line is being relocated. Once SAWS gives final approval, temporary water line materials will be moved to Circle A Trail. Parrigin is on track to be repaved and reopened by August 29, 2025.
- Circle A Trail – Concrete culverts and walls are complete. Next steps include installing the temporary water line, adjusting the existing line, backfilling trenches, completing adjacent concrete work, and repaving. Completion is projected for October 10, 2025.
Please Note: There will be some days with no visible work while inspections and testing are completed.
Looking Ahead
While these projects will be completed about 45 days later than originally projected, they will result in:
- Stronger and more reliable drainage infrastructure
- Safer roadway edges
- Freshly paved sections for smoother driving
We sincerely thank our residents for their patience, understanding, and cooperation during this process. These improvements are an investment in our city’s long-term safety and quality of life.
