(Kansas City, Mo.) – On Friday, April 22nd at 3:30 p.m., Kansas City will celebrate construction completion of the Blue River Channel Project. Construction began in 1983 on the 12-mile channel project extending from near the mouth of the Missouri River upstream to 63rd Street. For many years flooding displaced businesses in Kansas City. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the City of Kansas City, and the community worked together for nearly five decades to bring this $300 million plus project to completion.
Public health and safety benefits to Kansas City include:
- Flood protection for industry in the 3rd and 5th District
- Utilities and 21 bridges improved
- Removed out of the 100 year floodplain 600 acres, 200 structures and 8 miles of roadway
- More than 10,000 waste tires removed
- Solid waste, 95000 tons and 350 abandoned barrels disposed of safely.
- Flood Inundation Mapping
- Flood Warning System
- Multi-purpose use of the Blue River Corridor, trails and recreation
The Blue River Dedication Celebration will begin at 2:00 p.m. with bus tours of the project. The tours will depart from the celebration site at 4721 Coal Mine Road. At 3:30 p.m. local and federal officials will dedicate the project to the residents of Kansas City.
The local and federal leaders scheduled to attend include:
- Colonel Andrew Sexton, District Commander, US Army Corps of Engineers, Kansas City District
- Mark Hague, Administrator EPA Region 7
- Troy Schulte, City Manager, KCMO
- Alissia Canady, Councilwoman, 5th District
David Warm, Executive Director, Mid-America Regional Council, will serve as the Master of Ceremony and entertainment will be provided by the Hogan Preparatory Academy Jazz Band.
Due to the event, Coal Mine Road will be closed to through-traffic from 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
For more information, please contact Brooke Givens, Media Relations Coordinator, at brooke.givens@kcmo.org or 816.513.0284.
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KC Water maintains and operates water treatment and distribution systems, stormwater management systems, and wastewater collection and treatment systems for residential and business customers in Kansas City and for wholesale customers in the Kansas City area. KC Water is primarily funded by fees charged to customers based on their use or impacts on the three utility systems.
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