Cedar Rapids flood protection progressing, but Hinson sees need for additional funding

CEDAR RAPIDS — A “behemoth” flood mitigation project along the east side of the Cedar River in Cedar Rapids is four years from completion, but its impact already can be seen, U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson said Monday after touring Army Corps of Engineer projects from Shaver Road to Otis Road.

“I think, for me, that is a great story to tell back in Washington,” the 1st District Republican said about the three-quarters of a billion dollar flood control project happening on both sides of the river.

However, there’s another story for Hinson to tell when she’s back in Washington. That’s because rising prices for materials have created a funding gap in the flood control project estimated to cost $750 million — about $350 million for the east side of the river, which involves the Army Corps, and the same on the west side, said Deputy City Manager Sandi Fowler, who was part of the tour. The resource gap is $84 million, now up $6 million or less than 1 percent of project cost, since 2018.

“So something that I'll take back to Washington with me is that, ‘Hey, there is going to be an additional need,” said Hinson, who sits on the House Appropriations and Budget committees. “Everything costs more right now and these projects are not immune to cost increases. We have to have the conversation about that.”

State Sen. Liz Mathis, who hopes to unseat Hinson in this fall’s midterm elections, said she found it ironic that Hinson is advocating for congressional flood prevention funding.

“While serving in Congress, she voted against the bipartisan infrastructure bill and the American Rescue Plan Act that brought funding for flood mitigation projects similar to the one she toured today,” the Hiawatha Democrat said. “I'm pleased the city of Cedar Rapids has earmarked American Rescue Plan dollars to ensure all residents of the city will be protected from future flooding — no thanks to Ashley Hinson.”

Hinson cited the project as an example of what can be accomplished when the public and private sectors as well as federal, state and local governments work together to meet the community’s needs “in a way where they continue to preserve things that make our community unique.”

After the tour, Col. Jesse Curry, commander and district engineer of the Corps’ Rock Island District, spoke about the complexity of doing a flood mitigation project in limited space in an urban environment. The project has been planned to proceed with as little impact on the “staples of the community,” such as downtown businesses and attractions, and industries along the river corridor.

Standing outside City Hall, which sits near the bank of the Cedar River, Curry said “being able to place a flood structure in between the water and those facilities is a significant engineering challenge. To do that, without totally blocking off everything that makes Cedar Rapids what it is, is a unique challenge.”

“This will be an example for other cities around the nation,” Curry said, adding the Corps remains confident it will compete its work on schedule in 2026.

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