City drainage experts hope round-the-clock monitoring of water level sensors, electronic signs and depth markers painted on concrete piers will prevent dramatic rescues of motorists from flooded freeway underpasses.
A pilot project is coming to two south-side underpasses on the Whitemud Freeway this summer that have flash-flooded four times since 2004. A
report going before city council’s utility committee this week says earlier warning signals could prevent drivers from becoming stranded during a deluge.
In August 2016, following two storms that left portions of the Whitemud underwater, councillors asked city administrators to report back on how they could better warn drivers of perilous flooding on freeways. They also asked for a flooding risk assessment of 49 city underpasses and what options they have to permanently fix drainage problems at those locations.
