After two years of construction and 18 months of design, the Minot community celebrated on August 11th the completion of the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) flood protection project with a ribbon cutting ceremony.
The $30 million HMGP project will ensure the city's water treatment plant remains operational during future extreme flooding events, similar to that of 2011. The project was funded through a collaboration among local, state and federal partners. The cost share for the project was supported by 75 percent funding ($22.5 million) from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) budget, 15 percent funding ($4.5 million) from the City of Minot and 10 percent funding ($3 million) from the North Dakota Department of Emergency Services budget.
Dignitaries from all levels of government cut the ribbon today to dedicate the HMGP project. Mayor Barney was joined by U.S. Sen. John Hoeven, U.S. Rep. Kevin Cramer, FEMA Region VIII Risk Analysis Branch Chief Ryan Pietramali, Bismarck Mayor Seminary and others in marking the end of a flood protection project that will provide permanent protection to the Minot Water Treatment Plant.
HEI's team with CongressmanKevin Cramer, Mayor Barney, and Senator Hoven.
“When faced with the already stressful situation of fighting a flood, the last thing anyone wants to worry about is whether it’s safe to drink the tap-water,“ said Congressman Kevin Cramer. “The completion of this treatment facility will bring peace-of-mind to Minot residents, and ensure that another boil-water advisory is never issued in the community again."
The finished project features the first floodwalls built in the Minot community; 1,720 linear feet of concrete floodwalls on the south side of the Mouse River to be exact. These floodwalls tie into two new temporary roadway closure structures at 16th Street SW and Water Treatment Plant Road (12th Street SW). Earthen levees, new lift stations, and the adjustment of intake structures at the treatment plant are also part of the finished project. HEI designed the project and Wagner Construction was the general contractor in charge of construction.
This celebration was covered by several news outlets, one of which included a video clip interviewing HEI's President/CEO Jeff LeDoux. HEI is honored to be part of this solution in a city we're proud to call home.