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Engineers: Parkersburg Floodwall ‘Unacceptable’
By: Associated Press
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PARKERSBURG, W.Va. (AP) – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has designated Parkersburg’s floodwall system as unacceptable because some inspection requirements haven’t been met.
City officials say the floodwall is in good shape.
Mayor Jimmy Colombo tells the Parkersburg News and Sentinel that the city and the corps have gone back-and-forth for years over one requirement.
The city is required to periodically test all floodwall gates, including one that would block a road for nearly two days. Colombo says the city has never closed that gate because of traffic concerns.
The city also is required to inspect the floodwall’s conduits every five years. City Engineer Justin Smith says most of the conduits are underwater. An inspection would cost about $300,000.
Steve Spagna with the corps says there are no waivers from the requirements.