Souris River Joint Board Advances Burlington Levee Project to Full Design
The Souris River Joint Board has approved a contract to begin the full design of the Burlington Levee Project (Phase BU-1) of the Mouse River Enhanced Flood Protection Project (Mouse River Plan). This is the fourth phase to be fully designed as a part of the billion dollar flood risk reduction project being implemented throughout the Mouse River Basin. The first three phases are within the City of Minot and are expected to be constructed beginning in the summer of 2017.
Phase BU-1 will include earthen levees along the western bank of the Mouse River through Burlington, as well as earthen levees and a section of floodwall along the southern bank of the Des Lacs River. Also included in the design will be utility, interior drainage, and roadway modifications and the removal and replacement of the Colton Avenue bridge. The flood protection features will be designed to protect the city from 2011 flood levels of 27,400 cfs.
The estimated construction cost of this phase of the project is $23 Million. City of Minot sales tax collections directed towards flood protection and funding from the North Dakota State Water Commission will be used to pay for the project completion. Funding is currently available for the design phase of the project. Souris River Joint Board Chairman Dave Ashley said “the Burlington phase is an important part of the overall vision to reduce flood risk basin-wide. We look forward to assisting the Burlington community through this endeavor.”
Upon hearing the news, Mayor of Burlington Jeanine Kabanuk responded “the City of Burlington is thrilled that the Souris River Joint Board has advanced the Burlington levee project to protect our citizens’ future.”
Field investigations kick off the project as crews will be in the area over the next few weeks conducting various surveys and soil borings. Design of the Burlington phase is expected to be completed by the end of 2017.
For more information about the Mouse River Enhanced Flood Protection Project, visit www.mouseriverplan.com, or visit us on Facebook at Mouse River Plan.
