CLARKSVILLE, MO (KMOX) —The town that has battled Mississippi River flooding for years--armed only with sandbags--may soon have a new weapon to hold back the river.
Mayor Jo Anne Smiley says they have secured $14 million in federal and state funding to build a removable flood wall, one that can be put up in a hurry when its needed--and put away in storage when it's not.
The steel wall would attach to permanent rails built below ground level in the pavement along the riverfront, and the wall would be as high as ten feet tall.
Smiley says this could be the turning point for the town that has struggled to attract investors, who don't want to rely on sandbags to protect their investment.
There's even hope the flood wall could attract investors to take another look at the long dormant Clarksville Skylift, although Smiley says that's a separate challenge.
Clarksville will put the project out for bids immediately, and Smiley says the downtown area flood wall could become a reality within a couple of years.
Copyright 2022 KMOX (Audacy). All Rights Reserved.
Follow KMOX | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
Listen on the free Audacy app.
Tell your smart speaker to play K M O X.
