NEDERLAND, Texas — Since September, crews have been in Nederland working to upgrade the city's aging water waste system.
This $5 million project was expected to get started back in 2017 but Harvey pushed the start date back.
The first of six phases is underway at the intersection of avenue H and Twin City Highway. Currently, parts of Avenue H are closed while crews work.
Jean Long has been working at The Eye Place along Twin City Highway in Nederland for 27 years and has seen the sewer system get worse over the years. This multi-million dollar project has her excited about the future.
"It's go be great and I really believe it," Long said. "If they do like they said the're going to, it will take the water out real soon."
Nederland City Manager, Chris Duque tells 12News that they have been working to address this sine 2016.
"You have issues where people can't flush, they can't use their washing machine, because rain water is filled into those sewer lines and is backing up the system," Duque said.
The intersection at Twin City and Avenue H is expected to remain close for about three to four weeks. Duque is encouraging folks to find alternative routes while construction is ongoing.
The project is expected to take a year to complete.
Workers will repair old busted pipes that aren't carrying away wastewater.
It means road closures and the sound of construction for neighbors but Long says it's worth it.
"It's not that loud, they all know that we're going to get a good response," Long said.
The city originally planned to use $10 million toward the sewer system project, but will instead be using the remaining $5 million for other improvements in the city.