Why not do something to prevent flooding on Northside Boulevard?

By Kirk Mason (mason@wsbt.com)

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In this file photo, Northside Boulevard is closed at Louise Street to the Indiana University at South Bend campus due to flooding from heavy rains. (Tribune Photo/BARBARA ALLISON)

By WSBT News1

Story Created: Mar 16, 2009 at 9:58 AM EST

Story Updated: Mar 16, 2009 at 10:23 AM EST

SOUTH BEND — Now that floodwaters are coming down, some are talking about ideas for preventing future problems.

One of the recent trouble spots has been Northside Boulevard in South Bend. K. Metz of St. Joseph County has a Good Question: "If the city knows it happens every time, why don't they put up a retaining wall high enough to keep it from flooding?"

WSBT's Kirk Mason looked into it.

It's a scene we're used to seeing — flooding near the YMCA along Northside Boulevard in South Bend. It happened again last week, so it begs the question: Why not do something to prevent it from happening again?

South Bend city engineer Car Littrell says the reason is money. While inconvenient for drivers, Littrell says the flooding isn't destroying homes or preventing business from operating.

Also, Littrell says, to fix the problem could cost millions.

The city cites two options to fix the problem: One would be to rebuild the road, to basically make it higher up, which would be expensive. The other option would be installing a new series of check valves in the piping. That would basically provide a one-way flow, so overflow water stays in the river.

But Littrell says that is also very expensive, because an environmental impact study would be required.

So for now the city doesn't think the level of public inconvenience is worth the cost.

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