Thanks to U.S. Sen. Byron Dorgan, D-ND, and state leaders, local officials say the funding will support its final phase of construction - a 3-mile area stretching north of the Otter Tail River and along the Red River. The funding was included in the 2010 Energy and Water Appropriations bill.
Mayor Cliff Barth said he appreciates how dignitaries from both states fought to get the funding. Barth flew to the nation's capital in May to support the cause.
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Jeff Muehler, public works director, said project scheduling will be determined after the engineers and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers finish the plan.
"It's a possibility that it may start in 2010, but I don't know," he said, adding that he has yet to be contacted.
Construction is currently underway on a Minnesota Avenue closure structure, said Muehler, and crews have been making good progress despite weather conditions. But a levee located south of the street that covers a 2.5 mile area near Seventh Street still requires some grading and seeding, and the work will likely be completed in the spring.
"Everything is so wet, they're as far as they can go right now," said Barth.
Funding has already been secured for Phase 2B3 construction, which runs about 3 miles along the Otter Tail River and east of the Gewalt Addition. Officials anticipate that bids will be out within the next few months for spring construction. The project is slated for completion by late fall.
Barth said he appreciated resident patience during the construction and easement work.
"I can't say how good our people...have been on working with us," he said.
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