Stranded vehicles being towed at the railroad underpass near 48th Street and Cornhusker Highway, after severe storms rolled through on July 1. (Tom Stanton, KLIN News)
Voters will decide if the city of Lincoln takes out a $13.9 million bond for storm water construction and flood-reduction projects on the November ballot.
The City Council approved the ballot-issue on Monday, after a pitch from Lincoln Transportation and Utilities Director Liz Elliot, who said the money would be split up to pay for numerous projects, including $3.6 million for flood reduction/preservation, $3.6 million for stream stabilization, $1 million to facilitate street sweepers to meet water quality standards, and $5.7 million for urban drainage improvements and studies.
If approved by voters, the bond would cost approximately 80 cents per month for the average home valued at $280,000 and will run for 20 years.
This issue became relevant earlier this month, after severe storms rolled through Lincoln and flooded a train-track underpass near N. 48th and Cornhusker Highway.
Local officials and residents, including representatives from the Lower Platte South Natural Resources District and Friends of Wilderness Park, expressed support for the bond.
City Councilman Tom Beckius endorsed the bond as a fiscally sound investment. The bond issue will be presented to the public for a vote on November 5th.