DECATUR — April's record floods destroyed the Third Street bridge over Decatur Branch Creek last week and it may be some time before the bridge is replaced, according to mayor Charles Linam.
Raging water washed away the roadway on April 25, exposing the large metal culverts beneath.
State funds will pay for 35 percent of the repairs because Governor Mike Beebe has declared northwest Arkansas a disaster area, Linam said.
The county has been declared a federal disaster area for individuals. If it is declared a disaster area for communities, federal funds will pay for 87.5 percent of the repairs, he said.
Linam said he would like to replace the bridge with larger cement culverts instead of the smaller metal ones, which will bepossible if the city receives federal disaster aid.
Decatur should know by the end of the week if it will receive the federal funds, he said. Once they know how much money they will receive, city officials will be able to decide the best way to proceed, Linam said.
The flooding also highlighted problems with thecity’s sewer system, Linam said. Many of the manholes were overflowing with waste-tainted storm water.
The city will not violate any laws unless they fail to report the overflow to the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality, said public works director James Boston.
Linam said he has beenmeeting with engineers looking for a long-term solution to the overflow, which also means “a big money solution,” he said.
The city is currently taking bids to have the sewer system surveyed by cameras so that engineers will have a better idea the extent of the problems, Linam said.
News, Pages 10 on 05/11/2011