McNeil Water Transmission Main
Austin Water is improving your service by doubling the size of the water line along McNeil Road.
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 transmission main will be 72 inches in diameter, or twice the size of the current 36-inch line.
Austin Water identified the need to update this transmission main following the unexpected impacts of Winter Storm Uri on local infrastructure in 2021. The new line will improve year-round service reliability, including during potential future emergencies. After installation, the existing line will be repurposed to strengthen service for another area called the Northwest B Pressure Zone.
Construction will cause some additional traffic and noise in the area. Crews must bore 30 to 50 feet underground using tunneling machines to excavate for pipe placement, which produces rumbling sounds. McNeil Road will not be shut down, but lane closures will occur. Austin Water has identified environmental concerns in the area and has required the contractor to take extra precautions to avoid disturbing environmental features and protected species. Tunneling is less disruptive to the surrounding area than traditional open-cut trenching.
What to Expect
- Street and lane access — Crews will close traffic lanes but not entire streets. You will always have access to your home or business. Driveway access may be limited briefly during some periods. Let crews know if you need to leave and they will help you get in and out.
- Working hours — Work is expected Monday through Friday, 7 a.m.–7 p.m. Some weekend work may occasionally be required. The City's noise ordinance applies after 10 p.m.
- Noise — Tunneling equipment produces low rumbling sounds during work hours.
- Water service — Water will not need to be turned off during this project.
- Lawn and landscaping — Crews will bore underground from within the street right-of-way. We do not anticipate disturbing areas beyond the city right-of-way.
- Repaving — When construction is complete, the contractor will repave all areas disturbed using a mill and overlay process.
Timeline
Construction is anticipated to begin in fall 2025 and take 32 months to complete.
Communications
In September 2025, Austin Water hosted an open house for neighbors to learn about the project. The event drew strong attendance and meaningful participation from nearby residents. One attendee extended the reach of the event by live-posting updates to the neighborhood's Facebook page, relaying questions and answers between our team and the broader online audience.
Residents expressed appreciation for the planned upgrade, with many sharing personal experiences of losing water service during Winter Storm Uri. Attendees showed particular interest in how this project directly responds to vulnerabilities identified during the storm, especially the significant increase in pipe diameter to improve capacity and reliability.
We heard valuable feedback on minimizing construction impacts over the 2.5-year timeline. This event was an important first step in our ongoing commitment to being good neighbors through every stage of this project.
Project Documents
Contractor open house attendance (PDF)
Contractor open house questions (PDF)
Contacts
Matthew Hendrix, Project Manager
Austin Capital Delivery Services
Office: 512-974-7073
Cell: 512-968-2793
matt.hendrix@austintexas.gov
Cynthia Miller, Public Information
Austin Water
512-972-0268
cynthia.miller@austintexas.gov