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Ogdensburg City Council wants $1.6 million to build in Oswegatchie River

Posted 6/10/14

By JIMMY LAWTON OGDENSBURG -- Ogdensburg City Council will apply for a $1.6 million grant to build a new seawall after spring flooding caused extensive damage to the existing structure. The Maple …

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Ogdensburg City Council wants $1.6 million to build in Oswegatchie River

Posted

By JIMMY LAWTON

OGDENSBURG -- Ogdensburg City Council will apply for a $1.6 million grant to build a new seawall after spring flooding caused extensive damage to the existing structure.

The Maple City Trail, between the pump house and the new walking bridge, received extensive damage due to flooding from the spring thaw.

“The City of Ogdensburg has determined that approximately 1,500 feet of seawall needs to be replaced between the pump house and the new walking bridge to avoid future flooding issues from the Oswegatchie River and to protect the Maple City Trail,” the resolution says.

The new proposed sea wall would be constructed 5 feet further inland and be 3 feet higher than the current sea wall, officials said. Pinkerton said the existing damaged seawall could be used to eliminate the need for a temporary cofferdam, which could significantly cut costs associated with the constructing a new seawall.

Councilor Dan Skamperle questioned what the best material might be for constructing a seawall that will hold up to the Oswegatchie’s heavy flow in the spring. Pinkerton said the engineers he has approached build seawalls on Lake Ontario and he would direct questions to the firm.

Pinkerton said that although the new sea wall is needed, the city would not be able to afford the expense without a funding source.

City Manager John Pinkerton said the Maple City Trail and its lighting system would be rerouted due to the construction of the new sea wall.

Following a brief discussion the council unanimously approved a resolution allowing Pinkerton to apply for a $1,654,000 consolidated funding grant.