By RICK MILLER
Olean Star
OLEAN — Work is continuing on the project to strengthen the Allegheny River dike near the Olean Wastewater Treatment Plant on South 19th Street.
The Levee Stabilization Project is overseen by the New York State Office of General Services.
Much of the vegetation along the southern shore of the river in the vicinity of the treatment plant has been stripped and sheet piling has been driven and rip-rap installed to further protect the dike from erosion.
Area motorists using the River Road may have seen a large crane recently used to drive piling to buttress the shoreline.
The project began in July and may take another two months, according to Brad Camp, the director of the city’s water and sewer departments.
A key part of the project terminates old pipes through the levee such as the remains of a warm water discharge pipeline into the river once used by Felmont Oil Co.
The discharge pipe for treated wastewater from the treatment plant is also being strengthened.
Funding for the project comes from the Clean Air, Clean Water and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act of 2022, which voters approved that year. Gov. Kathy Hochul recently announced $21 million in funding for Southern Tier communities that are protected by levee systems
The project was announced at a time when the city is under pressure to get the city dikes on the Allegheny River and Olean Creek prepared for reaccreditation. Mayor Bill Aiello previously said this project will help with the recertification of the levee system.
It is designed to fortify areas of the levees and comes at a time when municipalities throughout the county are being urged to participate in a Federal Emergency Management Agency initiative to maintain or modify the flood protection system so new flood maps won’t expand the floodplain and cause more homes and businesses to have flood insurance.
______________________________________
All Rights Reserved. Eric M. Firkel. Star News LLC.
