WISHTV: DPW moves ahead with levee project for Rocky Ripples

Read the full story by Adam Pinsker here.

The Indianapolis Department of Public Works says its design plan for the $80 million levee will be 90% complete by January, and construction could start later in the new year.

The current levee was built in the 1930s and does not meet federal standards.

“Whatever is currently there in existence was constructed, standards may have changed. Certainty now when we think of what a hundred year flood might be for the town of Rocky Ripple, we believe the structure in place would not provide that amount of protection,” said DPW Spokesperson Ben Easley.

Easley said the city will need to purchase a dozen homes or more through eminent domain to make room for the project.