Completed California Lane Drainage Improvements Reduce Flood Risk
Published on August 04, 2025
By Public Works Department
The Public Works Department’s Stormwater Division has completed Phase 1 of the California Lane Drainage Improvements Project. This $18.6 million drainage project reduces the risk of flooding for 52 homes in the area. The project area was bordered by West Arkansas Lane to the north, Canongate Drive to the east, West Mayfield Road to the south and Westchester Drive to the west in West Arlington.
Click here to view a map of the project location(PDF, 334KB) .
The project is based on the California Lane Drainage Improvements Conceptual Study, which evaluated existing drainage conditions and identified cost effective improvements and construction phases to reduce neighborhood flooding in the project area.
Phase 1 began in May 2023 and was completed in July 2025.
Phase 1 included storm drain upgrades at Canongate Drive, Fox Hill Drive, and Westchester Drive, along with expansion of the detention pond within California Lane Park. Additionally, the project included an extension of the existing concrete trail, the addition of new park amenities, water and sanitary sewer line renewals, full-width street reconstruction, and partial curb and gutter repairs.
The California Lane Park and Pond improvements included a variety of new amenities and upgrades designed to enhance the park's functionality and visitor experience. These enhancements included the installation of a new 2 HP fountain, stone benches, and picnic tables with concrete pads, along with the addition of trash receptacles throughout the park. A total of 1,900 square yards of 8-foot-wide concrete park trail were added, with 6-foot benches placed along the trail for rest and relaxation. The project also included 609 linear feet of new split rail fencing and a new pedestrian culvert crossing. The fishing dock deck was replaced, and 271 linear feet of ADA-compliant handrails were installed along the retaining walls, fishing dock, and pedestrian crossing to improve accessibility and safety. Over 52 new trees were planted, including Desert Willow, Texas Redbud, Bald Cypress, Bur Oak, Cedar Elm, and Texas Red Oak. Additionally, 29,000 square yards of Bermuda sod were laid to enhance the landscape. A significant improvement was also made to the park’s stormwater management system by increasing storage capacity from 4.2 acre-feet to 32 acre-feet through the connection of the detention pond to the retention pond.
Phase 2 is now in design and will address drainage issues in the Olympia Park, Westchester Place, and Lucas Park areas identified in the conceptual study. Planned improvements include replacement of undersized storm drains to mitigate flooding of 12 residential structures in the project area along with approximately 3,000 linear feet of water main replacement, 3,200 linear feet of sanitary sewer main replacement, and pavement replacement within the limits of the proposed storm drain improvements. Construction for Phase 2 is currently planned for 2027.
This project supported the Arlington City Council’s priority to Champion Great Neighborhoods and was part of the City’s three-year Capital Improvements Program for Stormwater for Fiscal Year 2023–Fiscal Year 2025. This project is part of the City’s efforts to mitigate neighborhood flooding and improve drainage infrastructure was funded through the Stormwater Utility Fund, Street Maintenance Fund, and water and sanitary sewer bonds.
Since 2009, Arlington has invested more than $200 million on the Stormwater Capital Improvements Program, which includes flood mitigation, protection of City infrastructure from erosion, voluntary flood buyouts, the purchase of technology assets, and maintenance of stormwater infrastructure.
Click here to learn more about the City’s stormwater management initiatives.