Project Overview
The McNeil Drive Transmission Main Project will bring increased capacity for moving drinking water from the Handcox Water Treatment Plant to customers in Northwest Austin by installing 8,500 linear feet of new pipeline along McNeil Road. The new line, referred to as a “transmission main,” will be twice the diameter (72”) of the current line (36”).
Inside a pipeline from a similar project, showing the size of the transmission main to be installed along McNeil Road
Austin Water identified the need to update this transmission main after the unexpected weather impacts of Winter Storm Uri on our local infrastructure in 2021, and through this work we will improve year-round service reliability for our customers, including during any potential future emergencies. After the new main line is installed, the current line will be used to strengthen service for another area called the Northwest B Pressure Zone.
The drill bit head that goes on a tunnel boring machine (TBM). The project contractor will use a TBM to drill through rock and soil and create a tunnel for the new main. Tunneling is less disruptive to the surrounding area than traditional “trench cut,” which involves digging from above ground.
The project will bring some extra traffic and noise to the area. Crews must bore between 30 and 50 feet into the ground and use tunneling machines to excavate for pipe placement, and this work will cause rumbling sounds. McNeil Road will not be shut down, but there will be lane closures. Austin Water identified multiple environmental concerns in the area and has stipulated that the contractor for the project take extra precautions to avoid disturbing environmental features and protected species.
Timeline
We anticipate construction will begin in the fall of 2025 and take 32 months to complete.
Communications
In September 2025, Austin Water hosted an Open House for neighbors to learn about the McNeil Transmission Project. The meeting drew excellent attendance and meaningful participation from nearby residents. One attendee amplified participation by live-posting updates to his neighborhood's Facebook page throughout the event, relaying questions and answers between our team and the broader online audience.
Community members asked thoughtful questions during a Q&A session that lasted over an hour.
Residents expressed appreciation for the planned upgrade, with many sharing personal experiences of losing water service during Winter Storm Uri or knowing others who were affected. Attendees showed particular interest in learning how this project directly responds to vulnerabilities identified during the storm, especially regarding the significant increase in transmission main diameter to improve service capacity and reliability.
We heard valuable feedback on minimizing impacts during the 2.5-year construction timeline, and this event marked an important first step in our ongoing commitment to being good neighbors through every stage of this project.
Project Documents
Contractor Open House Attendance
Contractor Open House Questions
- Frequently Asked Questions
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Q: Will you be closing McNeil Drive or other streets in the area?
A: Crews will close traffic lanes, but not entire streets. You will always have access to your home or business. For brief periods, driveway access may be limited. Crews will help you get in and out, and you should let them know if you are blocked and need to leave.
Q: What are the working hours? Which days?
A: Workdays are typically Monday through Friday, 7am to 7pm. Occasionally some weekend work may be required.
Q: How loud will it be?
A: You will hear low rumbling sounds during work hours. The City’s noise ordinance applies after 10 p.m.
Q: Will my water be turned off?
A: Water will not have to be turned off.
Q: Will you dig up my lawn?
A: Crews will be boring into the street and then working underground, and we do not anticipate the need to disturb any areas beyond the city right of way.
Q: What are your plans for repaving the streets?
A: When construction is completed the contractor will repave areas disturbed by construction using a mill and overlay process.
Contacts
Matthew Hendrix, PE, Project Manager
Capital Delivery Services | City of Austin
Office: 512-974-7073
Cell: 512-968-2793
matt.hendrix@austintexas.gov
Cynthia Miller, J.D.
Public Information Office, Austin Water
512-972-0268
cynthia.miller@austintexas.gov