CBP: Construction of 13 miles of levee wall to begin as early as today

FILE – In this Aug. 11, 2017, file photo, a U.S. Customs and Border Patrol vehicle passes along a section of border levee wall in Hidalgo, Texas. The U.S.…

FILE – In this Aug. 11, 2017, file photo, a U.S. Customs and Border Patrol vehicle passes along a section of border levee wall in Hidalgo, Texas. The U.S. government is preparing to begin construction of more border walls and fencing in South Texas’ Rio Grande Valley, likely on federally-owned land set aside as wildlife refuge property. Heavy construction equipment is supposed to arrive starting Monday. A photo posted by the nonprofit National Butterfly Center shows an excavator parked on its property. (AP Photo/Eric Gay, File)

by: CBS 4 Staff

Posted: Apr 4, 2019 / 02:23 PM CDT

Updated: Apr 4, 2019 / 02:23 PM CDT

Construction of 13 miles of levee wall along the Rio Grande will begin as early as today, according to a release from U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

The levee wall system will be built on federal land west of Green Road southwest of Mission, adjacent to the Mission Main Canal. CBP says it will proceed with construction as real estate becomes available in the area.

Construction will not take place at Bentsen State Park or the National Butterfly Center.

This is the third levee wall project to begin in the Rio Grande Valley. In October, CBP awarded a $145 million contract for six miles of levee wall in an unspecified area of Hidalgo County. In November, CBP awarded a $167 million contract to build eight miles of levee wall south of Alamo, Donna, Weslaco, Progreso and Mercedes.