Just a little notice, all your floodzones are belong to us.

ROANOKE, VA - Construction of Phase I of the Roanoke River Flood
Reduction Project is scheduled to begin soon after Labor Day, and
residents can expect to see major tree clearing, digging and
re-landscaping in the effected areas.

The Army Corps of Engineers awarded the project to Branch Highways,
Inc., which was issued a Notice to Proceed Monday. The project will
include:

• Creating four bench cuts along the river from 9th Street to
Bennington Street (Wastewater Treatment Plant),
• Developing 900 linear feet of recreational trail from Jefferson
Street to Reserve Avenue,
• Clearing and snagging,
• Installing rip rap around the pedestrian bridge, and
• Landscaping the bench cuts.

Bench cutting, changing the slope of the river banks, lowers the
height of the river by widening it. In order to create the bench
cuts, all trees and vegetation along the river's edge must be
removed, said Khadija Abdur-Rahman, civil engineer for the City of
Roanoke.

Replanting will immediately follow the excavation to restore
vegetation in these areas.

The project's first activity will be the clearing and snagging of
13th Street off of Tayloe Avenue in preparation for the first bench
cut.

"This project will reduce the frequency and impact of flooding from
the Roanoke River that affects so many residences and businesses,"
said Abdur-Rahman. "We are pleased to be moving forward on this
important project."