Graves Highlights KC-Area Projects Included in WRDA

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Representative Sam Graves last night voted for the Water Resources Development Act of 2016, which passed the House and took a significant step toward becoming law. As a member of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, which has jurisdiction over river issues in Congress, Graves has had a hand in crafting policies in the bill since the beginning of 2016.

Among the provisions Graves worked to secure is funding for four major flood control projects in the area; the Kansas City Levees, Turkey Creek Basin, Dodson Industrial District, and Swope Park Industrial Area.

"Kansas City has become the economic hub of the Midwest. But without reliable levees along the Missouri and Kansas Rivers, businesses and infrastructure in the KC area would always be vulnerable to the next major flooding event,” Rep. Graves said. “The bill we passed last night takes a huge step towards ensuring our local stakeholders and the Army Corps of Engineers have the resources they need to shore up flood protection, preserve our local economy, and protect the lives of people across the Kansas City region.”

Graves’ district is bordered by approximately 284 miles of the Missouri River on its western and southern boundaries, and more than 100 miles of the Upper Mississippi River on its eastern edge. In addition to providing the resources needed to protect against flooding, this WRDA bill invests in port and inland harbor infrastructure that allows American farmers and businesses to transport goods around the globe.

"This bill also focuses on investing in infrastructure that is absolutely essential to our economy," Rep. Graves continued. "It guarantees that goods manufactured or grown in Missouri can be shipped across oceans and used to feed people in every corner of the world, and that export opportunities for American small businesses can continue to grow."

These local projects, which protect billions of dollars of economic activity for the region, receive targeted improvements with the bill that passed last night:

Kansas City Levees – Placing both phase 1 and phase 2 under one authorization will improve management efficiency and treat the projects as one levee system. These levees along the Missouri and Kansas Rivers provide critical flood protection to the economic heart of Kansas City, protecting over $20 billion in investments.

Authorization for the final phases of the Turkey Creek Basin Flood Project – To widen the channel, relocate bridges, and include tunnel modifications to finish the project. Turkey Creek flows 15 miles through the Kansas City metro area, and its frequent flooding poses serious risks to residential and commercial areas.

The Blue River Basin Project in the Dodson Industrial District – Includes a 6,800-foot levee floodwall along the north bank of the Blue River, protecting over $380 million in property investment and the 1,500 people who work in the area. Authorization for the final phase would complete this project.

Safe emergency access road to the Swope Park Industrial Area – Only one access road into the business park currently exists. The project will provide flooding relief and a safe passage for nearly 400 workers in the industrial area.