How did we end up with the drainage problem?  The drainage ditches that are now draining Primera were constructed to drain the farmland.  They were not designed to carry the water from the cities.  What is happening now is a retrofit to allow the cities to drain.  It was difficult to look at Dolly as a blessing at the time, but in retrospect, it was.  Without Dolly, we would have take a lot longer to obtain the funding to solve the drainage problems. 

In the newsletter of February 21, 2009, (newsletter is still on this website along with a map of the area) the main solution to the drainage of our area is providing a path for the water to flow under Highway 77, north of Primera.  The highway will be cut and four 10 foot by 10 boxes will be installed to carry water to the big ditch on the east side of the highway.  They will also have to go under the Union Pacific railroad track just west of highway 77.  Dealing with the railroad is always difficult and they do not have final approval from the railroad.  A short ditch will be made to connect the water from Primera and the water from north of Primera to go under Highway 77.  The money for the entire project has not been released yet but it is approved.  Once they start, it will take about 4 months to complete.

In the past, water from west of McGee-Autrey flowed into the Autrey Drive entrance.  A project to divert this water north is underway and will be completed by Mid-May. 

Approximately $3.8 million from the Federal Stimulus Package was designated to Primera Road.  The Primera Road project required a total of $6.6 million and Primera had to supply the additional money.  Unfortunately, they could not, so Harlingen got the money.  Texdot still has the work scheduled but it depends on when Texdot can come up with the money. 

The Drainage District was not eligible for any money from the Stimulus Package.  But they have applied for grants of approximately $5 million, of which $1.6 Million has been approved. 

The Drainage District continues to clean out the drainage ditches.  Actually the crossings are more of a problem than the ditches.

A lot of Federal money came to the Rio Grande because of Dolly.  Hildalgo county got as much of the money as Cameron Country, even though they did not have nearly as much damage.  Very little of the money is coming to Primera.  That is the way politics work here in the Valley.

The City of Primera has approximately 4,000 residents.  Maybe, 1,000 of those are registered to vote.  The last election only 100 voted.  No wonder Primera does not have much clout.