GAINESVILLE, Tex. -- The Pecan Creek Project in Gainesville has been in the works for years, even before the area was hit by the flood last year. But since that happened, Washington is prioritizing the project, and U.S. Congressman Michael Burgess came to town to prove it.
Whenever it rains and Pecan Creek rises, those around Pecan Creek still think about flooding. They hope the changes to the embankment will keep that from occurring again.
U.S. congressman Michael Burgess visited Gainesville on Wednesday. Burgess held a luncheon to thank city leaders and first responders for their role helping the community in the 2007 flood.
City officials say he was also instrumental in getting the funding and plans in place for the Pecan Creek expansion.
Burgess says he learned about the project in 2005, but it was slow-going with backlog from Hurricane Katrina. Sadly, it took the massive flood to make the project a priority, but Burgess says he is committed to see the project through.
"It is long past time we have this problem fixed. Certainly the loss of life was tragic and going forward we must not see that happen again," Rep. Burgess (R), Texas, said.
City officials hope the construction is completed by June 2009.
