HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Hutchinson City Council will seek approval to spend nearly $1 million for engineering services on a major drainage project involving Cow Creek.

The action could come during Tuesday’s agenda session. Part of the city’s Stormwater Master Plan was to improve drainage along Cow Creek. The proposed project would include widening the channel along with work on various bridges that flow over it. That includes several railroad bridges near South Plum. The total cost of the project is approximately $12 million.

The council will be asked to consider the bid from Wood Environment and Infrastructure at a cost of $998,640. Work will include design modifications to four bridges, relocation of utilities, and negotiations with Union Pacific Railroad for work in and around their right-of-way.

If all goes as planned, work could begin in March of 2020 with completion by February of 2021.

Funding for the project will come from the stormwater utility fee.