City to receive bids for new Tinsley Creek crossings

The city of Gonzales will be opening sealed bids on Thursday, Nov. 21, for replacement of several bridge crossings inside city limits as well as the installation of a new culvert crossing at Tinsley Creek on Johnson Street.

The city advertised for bids for General Land Office (GLO) Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Mitigation (MIT) 22-085-066-D323, with a planned bid opening set for 2 p.m. Nov. 21.

According to bid documents, the project includes the demolition of a low-water crossing and pavement along Johnson Street at Tinsley Creek and the installation of a culvert crossing with pavement replacement, appurtenances and drainage structures.

The project also includes demolition of culvert/ bridge crossings at Saint Andrew Street, Saint Lawrence Street, Saint Matthew Street, Saint Michael Street and Saint Vincent Street, and replacing those structures with free span bridges at each location. The free span bridges are expected to allow Tinsley Creek to flow unimpeded by increasing its capacity and preventing runoff flooding.

There also will be utility coordination and relocation including installation of new wastewater services, manholes, and potentially the installation of 950 linear feet of new wastewater line and appurtenances.

The city received $3,778,467 in grant funds in May 2021 to help mitigate Tinsley Creek flooding. During Hurricane Harvey, the portion of the Guadalupe River that runs through Gonzales was at Flood Stage 42.1 feet. Flood stage for the river is 31 feet.

During heavy rainfall, flooding closes US 183, Texas 97 and Farm to Market 108. The runoff down Tinsley Creek in Gonzales adds to the Guadalupe River backwater, which floods the lowest homes near the creek. Secondary roads and streets near the river are flooded and dangerous to motorists.