One phase of Austin’s flood mitigation project may end up costing $300,000 more than anticipated.

City Council members discussed the project Monday night at a work session. Initially, the plans for the project called for a 4-foot high road raise near Kuehn Motors on North Main St. The road raise would protect the area from waters three feet higher than the 2004 flood levels.

However, Assistant City Engineer Stephen Lang proposed installing a three foot closure structure in lieu of a road raise. Although the structure would cost $300,000 more than the road raise, it would not inconvenience Austin residents as much as a road raise, which would be an eye sore and force speed limits to 25 mph.

Funding for the closure structure would not be an issue, Lang said, as the contractor s bid came in $850,000 below the estimate. Even with the extra cost of a closure wall, the project is still scheduled to come in under estimates.

Council members voted 4-3 in favor of a closure structure. They will vote to officially approve the project change at the Aug. 1 City Council meeting.