RIO GRANDE VALLEY (Valley Morning Star) – Construction will begin within the next few weeks on a $20.9 million levee reconstruction project along 48 miles of the North Floodway and Arroyo Colorado in Cameron and Hidalgo Counties.

The project will benefit residents of cities from La Feria to Weslaco, creating a more secure flood barrier and possibly reducing flood insurance rates.

The new barrier will be built to FEMA accreditation standards, a certification that could reduce flood insurance rates for residents. This requires that the levee rise three feet above FEMA’s estimated 100-year flood level.

A 100-year flood is defined as a flood so severe that it has a 1 percent chance of occurring in any given year.

Ballenger Construction of Harlingen has been awarded the project contract and is expected to finish by next September.

Also see complete RECON issue for 11/3/2009.