The $15 million project provides drainage improvements to more than 56 square miles with approximately 55,000 residents. The project, was completed in three phases, is partially funded by Disaster Recovery grants received by the Urban County Program for damages received from Hurricane Dolly in 2008.

Urban areas within eastern Hidalgo County served by the Mercedes Lateral Drain, La billa Drain, and other HCCID 9 drainage systems were interconnected to the HCDD1 Main Floodway Channel providing seven miles of immediate drainage relief to 15 rural communities.

HCDD1 performed excavation of the ditch from Mile 15 South to the Mercedes Lateral and committed $1,070,646.91 to this project through an Interlocal Agreement with Hidalgo County Urban County Program. Contractor performed the remainder of the excavation and all road crossings which included the crossing of FM 1925 and SH 107. The ditch had a volume of approximately 157,000 cy before improvements. Once the improvements are completed, the new ditch has a capacity of approximately 1,190,630 cy.