Contractors are to begin work on the much-anticipated north channel of the Trinity River bypass, a key feature of the $1.6 billion flood control project.<\/p>\n
A $169 million contract<\/a> on the first half of the channel was awarded by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers last month to Chicago-based construction company The Walsh Group. When completed, the north bypass will be 3,900 feet long and 300 feet wide at the bottom of the channel.<\/p>\n An earthen levee and concrete floodwalls will contain the water in the bypass channel. Streets, walkways and trails that are part of the project will connect to the Trinity Trails system.<\/p>\n Tarrant Regional Water District program manager Kate Beck told board directors that the whole project will take about three years.<\/p>\n The project, which has, at some level, been in discussion for the past two decades, will steer the river\u2019s floodwaters away from 2,400 acres of homes and businesses in downtown Fort Worth and the Historic Northside neighborhood.\u00a0<\/p>\n The bypass will be broken up into north and south channels, creating a man-made island which has been dubbed Panther Island.\u00a0<\/p>\n The Corps of Engineers expects to request bids from developers by summer 2027 for construction on the south channel, if the water district has sufficient funds by then, Beck said.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re also pursuing and thinking about other funding opportunities so we could advance as soon as possible,\u201d Beck told the board.<\/p>\n The city and the water district have already begun work on smaller initiatives associated with the Central City project, such as the Ham Branch project<\/a>. Restoration of natural habitat on the Ham Branch of Marine Creek is intended to mitigate effects on that waterway from the Central City construction work.<\/p>\n The forward momentum on the flood control project comes after funding disputes<\/a> last year over federal defense contracts prompted delays, stalling the north bypass channel\u2019s original groundbreaking date of spring 2026, according to previous Fort Worth Report coverage.\u00a0<\/p>\n Central City\u2019s channels will expand flood mitigation along the Trinity River floodway and its levee system. The 27-mile Trinity levee system was built by the Corps of Engineers beginning in the 1950s following decades of disastrous and deadly flooding. However, the levee infrastructure was designed for a city with a population of about 350,000 \u2014 the existing flood control system would not be able to sustain floodwaters of a similar magnitude, Beck explained.\u00a0<\/p>\n Beck reminded board directors that the flood control project will also provide amenities such as parks and river accessibility, in addition to housing, business development and other economic opportunities.<\/p>\n Fort Worth and water district officials have introduced Panther Island-specific development and zoning standards<\/a> as developers eye the area. That includes new form-based codes<\/a> \u2014 a code that addresses a district\u2019s design standards \u2014 and business proposals from Austin-based Seco Ventures that include bringing multifamily housing<\/a> to the island.<\/p>\n How some Panther Island responsibilities will be allocated<\/p>\n The water district board also voted to enter an agreement with the city to define which improvements to open space, flood infrastructure and other Panther Island public features for which the district and Fort Worth officials will be responsible.<\/p>\n For example, under the agreement, Fort Worth is responsible for construction of city-owned stormwater systems, bridges and streets, whereas the water district will govern construction on Panther Island canals, walkways and related improvements, board documents show.<\/p>\n The first phase of Panther Island\u2019s development \u201chas been a really good test of understanding what each of us will own and maintain over time,\u201d Susan Alanis, the water district\u2019s Panther Island program manager, told board directors Tuesday.<\/p>\n The deal also recognizes the goal outlined in the Panther Island master plan<\/a> of preserving 15% of the area\u2019s land as open space. Negotiations between Fort Worth and water district officials will also be required to determine who will lead parkland developments.<\/p>\n The Panther Island public improvement district<\/a> adopted by the city council in the summer will relieve the water district of the cost of upgrades, renovations and other changes to public infrastructure, Alanis said. Under the PID, property owners in the district will be charged an assessment, proceeds of which will help pay for such improvements.\u00a0<\/p>\n To celebrate the north bypass channel\u2019s kickoff, officials are planning a groundbreaking event, Beck said.\u00a0<\/p>\n Meanwhile, an open house<\/a> will be held 6 p.m. Thursday by project officials at Northside Community Center, where members of the public are invited to learn more about Central City\u2019s progress.<\/p>\n Nicole Lopez is the environment reporter for the Fort Worth Report. Contact her at nicole.lopez@fortworthreport.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n The Report\u2019s environment coverage is supported by the Marilyn Brachman Hoffman Foundation.\u00a0<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/fortworthreport.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/20261022_NL_NorthBypass-1024x523.png\")
A rendering shows a concrete wall and an earthen levee around the future Panther Island that will mitigate Trinity River floodwaters by channeling overflow away from downtown and north Fort Worth. (Courtesy | Tarrant Regional Water District)<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/fortworthreport.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Map-Panther-Island-842x1024.jpg\")
A graphic of the Central City flood control project shows the bypass broken up into two channels, north and south, to reroute Trinity River floodwaters. (Courtesy | Tarrant Regional Water District)<\/p>\n