By T.J. Aulds
The Daily News
Published May 20, 2009

TEXAS CITY — While repairs to the Texas City-La Marque levee system are under way, work to repair the Texas City Dike is still on hold, Texas City Mayor Matt Doyle said. In large part that’s because the cost to fix the five-mile long dike is now estimated at $11 million.

Originally, it was estimated that the dike could be made functional again for $6 million.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency has committed to pay for $8.25 million of the costs, but the county and city have to come up with the remaining $2.75 million. Doyle said the local match won’t be a problem, but FEMA has yet to cut a check for its part.

“As expected, this is moving at a FEMA pace,” Doyle said.

Even when the money does arrive, it will take up to a year to repair the dike.