Whitfield Secures Waiver to Begin Work on the Paducah Floodwall Project | News | Congressman Ed Whitfield

News | Congressman Ed Whitfield | United States Representative

Whitfield Secures Waiver to Begin Work on the Paducah Floodwall Project November 17, 2008 WASHINGTON - U.S. Representative Ed Whitfield (KY-01) last Friday helped secure a waiver from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers that will allow the federal government to provide a local cost share credit for Paducah for needed repairs to the city's floodwall. This could potentially mean a savings to the City of Paducah of $1.17 million or more.

"During these difficult economic times, it is so important that the federal government does what it can to help rural cities with infrastructure improvements," said Whitfield. "Tragically, we have seen the consequences when natural disasters or other accidents hit our deteriorating infrastructure. Repairing the floodwall has been a priority of mine since the Corps of Engineers inspected and reported problems of rusting pipes and outdated pumps and motors. My primary concern has been and continues to be the health and safety of residents living in the levee's surrounding communities. After 60 years, it is certainly time to make some repairs."

The Corps of Engineers inspects the floodwall annually and for the past few years found the corrugated pipes under the floodwall are rusting, and the sixty-year old pumps and motors need refurbishing. Whitfield included language in the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2007 permitting the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to begin repairs on the floodwall, pending an 18 month feasibility study. Because the project needed to move faster than the 18 month feasibility study allowed, this waiver was vitally important to speed up the repairs on the floodwall and allow the City to receive local credit for the money they spent. Whitfield appealed directly to Assistant Secretary of the Army John Woodley, the head of the Corps of Engineers, in several conversations, to help obtain the waiver.

Mayor Bill Paxton said, "The city of Paducah is very grateful that the Corps of Engineers approved this waiver for our needed repairs.This assistance will help ensure the security of our community from a major disaster. I applaud Representative Whitfield's leadership in working with Secretary Woodley as a liaison between our city and the federal government."

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