New levee construction in Augusta worries some residents

The purpose of the levee construction and the gates that are planned to go down across the street that will cut through the dike is to protect the city from a one in 500 year flood, something it's never seen before.  The worst flood they ever had was a one in 100 year flood.”

“Basically they'll be big concrete structures that they'll be able to put protection, plates, logs, down in there, pack them up and basically it'd hold the water back during a flood,” said Grote.

But neighbors are also concerned about safety issues while the levee is being built.  Christyn Atchison says she recently had to call for an ambulance for her son.  She believes it took too long to get there because of the construction.

“And it was about 30 to 40 minutes before the ambulance could get to my house,” said Atchison.

The city is looking into the complaint but says the construction didn't slow the emergency crew.  But they want to know about resident concerns.

“If we are having problems or encountering problems, please make us aware of them because we'd like to address them and I know the contractor does as well,” said Bill Keefer, Augusta City Manager.

City officials know residents have a lot of questions about the project, including why it's taken so long to get started.  It's been planned for 12 years but crews only started working on it this year.  While most have supported the project, now that it's underway some who live nearby wonder whether it's worth it.

The project should be done within the year.  The construction manager says work is currently ahead of schedule.