LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Louisville Metropolitan Sewer District (MSD) will receive $5,315,000 in federal funding to overhaul the city's "aging" flood protection system.
U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell announced Tuesday that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) will allocate the millions of dollars.
According to a news release, Louisville MSD will use this federal funding to continue upgrading the city’s flood protection system.
Sheryl Lauder, communications director for MSD, said the money will likely go toward floodwall closures and gates, as well as the design for Beargrass Flood Pump Station.
She added that MSD has applied for funding through the Kentucky Infrastructure Authority (and SRF) for projects ranging from the upgrades, to the Flood Protection System, to sewer rehabilitation projects, to Morris Forman upgrades, to stormwater projects.
“Severe weather in my hometown of Louisville continues to strain the city’s infrastructure and damage homes, schools, and businesses throughout the region. Today’s funding will support important work underway to reinforce Louisville’s flood protection system," McConnell said.
Officials said McConnell helped fund a feasibility study in 2018 to "identify the repairs required to improve the city’s flood infrastructure and prevent flood-related damage." Two years later, he secured a provision in the America’s Water Infrastructure Act that required the Secretary of the Army to expedite the USACE’s report, which officials said made this project eligible for federal funding.
“The excellent news of this work plan funding for the Flood Protection System in Louisville is the culmination of years of study, hard work, and perseverance by Senator McConnell, USACE, Louisville MSD, and all of the elected officials that work each and every day to secure every resource available for the health and safety of our community," Tony Parrott, Louisville MSD executive director, said. "This project will leave a legacy that we should all be proud of – one that will protect human life and property for future generations."
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