Residents and community leaders gained an overview of the Phase 2 Dam Safety Modification Project at Rough River Dam during an community update presented by the US Army Corps of Engineers Louisville District.
Project Manager Steve Durrett said a $320 Million base and option contract was awarded to Thalle- Bauer LLC, of North Carolina. Durrett said the total cost of the project is estimated at $655 million once completed. Crews will construct a new control tower and stilling basin with a connecting tunnel on the opposite side of the reservoir. Once operations begin at the new tower, a new cut off wall will be constructed across the crest of the dam, with Highway 79 being relocated back to the top of the dam.
Funding for the 6 to 8 year long project will be made by increment amounts each federal budget year. Durrett said the current restrictions on water pool and recreation vehicles will remain through the construction project. Officials plan to maintain current operations in maintaining water levels unless extreme conditions causes adjustments. As construction gets underway this summer, there will be blasting that will occur and impacted property owners will be notified before hand. Officials say that dam structure is still rated at 2, even after they have noted some shifts in measurements from monitoring equipment that has increased their attention. Officials said the dam remains safe to the communities it serves.
Motorists will notice minor impacts to traffic with rolling road blocks. Unrelated work by the state transportation cabinet for bridge work over the spillway will reduce traffic to one lane. Work is expected to begin in March and is expected to be completed in 2034.
For further information and project updates click here.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qJZcwyISwbE]
