RENO, Nev. (AP) — A major Truckee River flood control project in the Reno area has moved a step closer to reality.
The project, designed to protect residents and businesses from devastating floods, has been approved for construction by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Jay Aldean of the Truckee River Flood Management Authority praised U.S. Sen. Harry Reid, saying he played a major role in securing both the agency's approval and funding from Congress for the project.
Aldean says the authority will continue working with Reid to clear other hurdles currently blocking the project.
The $280 million project authorized by Congress calls for a network of levees, floodwalls and riverbank terraces, and replacement of downtown Reno bridges that act as bottlenecks for river debris during floods.
A 1997 Truckee flood caused over $1 billion in damages in the region.