Sen. Rachelle Crowe hopes the new Wood River sewer project will promote growth among the community. | Courtesy Photo
Sen. Rachelle Crowe hopes the new Wood River sewer project will promote growth among the community. | Courtesy Photo
A needed sewer project that will help address roadway flooding will receive federal funding, U.S. Rep. Mike Bost (R-Ill.) said.
The funds will support the new Wood River sewer project through the Water Resources Development Act.
"As a Wood River native and senator for the Riverbend Region, I know how our communities suffer when roadways flood — it poses risks to transportation, the economy, and most importantly, residents' safety," Sen. Rachelle Crowe (D-Glen Carbon) wrote in an April 8 Facebook post. "I commend federal, state, and local efforts to improve travel and living conditions in the Metro East."
Mayor Cheryl Maguire, state Sen. Rachelle Crowe (D-Glen Carbon), and state Rep. Amy Elik (R-Fosterburg) contributed to the initiative.
The federal aid will assist with the separation of separate sewer projects spanning 6 miles of Belleville and Wood River communities, including Wood River Avenue, Old St. Louis Road, Illinois 143 and Edwardsville Road, affecting 840 properties, the AltonDailyNews.com reported.
The majority of the funding is derived from the federal government.
Director of Public Services Steve Palen projects the project to kick off at the beginning of next year, assuring that road closures won't have a major effect on residents' routes. It is estimated to cost approximately $15 million, of which the city was allocated $3 to $4 million. Crowe hopes the construction will promote growth in the area.
"With a Project like this, this can really help our economy grow, it can help people want to buy homes here, and hopefully bring in some more business," Crowe said, AltonDailyNews.com reported.
Alerts Sign-up