
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: TUESDAY, April 9, 1991                   TAG: 9104090567
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: B3   EDITION: EVENING 
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER MUNICIPAL WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

FLOOD WALL CONSTRUCTION SET AT TREATMENT PLANT

Construction is expected to begin by early summer on a wall to protect Roanoke's sewage treatment plant from flood waters, an element in the Roanoke River flood-reduction project.

A wall and earthen berm will be built along the river in front of the plant to help divert high waters. Modifications also will be made to several buildings in the treatment-plant complex to protect them from flooding.

The Army Corps of Engineers will advertise next month for bids for the work at the plant in the Riverdale neighborhood near the 13th Street Southeast bridge, said Kit Kiser, director of utilities and operations.

Kiser said Monday the flood wall and flood-proofing measures are estimated to cost $250,000. The work can be done without waiting on the major construction of the river project.

The plant sustained more than $1 million in damage in the 1985 flood.

The $35 million river project will involve widening the channel and construction of flood walls at several places along a 10-mile section of the stream. It also includes a 4.6-mile bicycling and jogging trail.

Construction on the channel widening and other flood walls will not begin until the summer of 1992.

The first element in the river project recently was completed when rainfall and stream gauges were installed for an early flood-warning system.

Kiser also told the city Flood Plain Committee on Monday that the city share of the project's cost has risen by about $700,000 for several reasons, including inflation and a longer construction period that will require inspectors to be on the job longer.

The city share is $15 million and the federal share is $20 million.

City voters approved a $7.5 million bond issue two years ago to help pay the city's share. The remaining city money will come from several sources, including earlier appropriations and land donations.

Rep. Jim Olin, D-Roanoke, recently asked Congress to provide an additional $770,000 in the next fiscal year so the project can stay on schedule.

President Bush included $470,000 in the budget for the fiscal year that begins Oct. 1, but the Army Corps of Engineers can use an additional $300,000 in the next year, Olin said.

by CNB