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Rt. 460 / Levisa River Flood Control, Grundy VA -VDOT
As a result of regional flooding problems in the 1970's, Congress directed the Corps of Engineers in the 1981 Water and Energy Appropriations Act to evaluate the flooding problems for five major communities within the Appalachian region including the Town of Grundy Virginia.
After several years of intensive study by COE, the mayor and town council of Grundy selected a preferred plan which included:
- Voluntary floodproofing/floodplain evacuation for the Slate Creek area and those areas along the Levisa Fork upstream and downstream of the downtown business district.
- Acquisition of structures along Riverside Drive.
- Construction of a ringwall to protect the side of town in the vicinity of the courthouse.
- Floodsafe redevelopment at the site of the P.V. Dennis Elementary and the Grundy Jr. High School.
- Relocation of the two public schools to a floodsafe site.
- Relocation of the fire station.
- Floodplain zoning.
- Participation in the National Flood Insurance Program.
- Development of a flood warning and emergency evacuation plan.
During the same time frame, VDOT was evaluating alternative alignments for improvement of U.S. 460 in the Grundy area. At the encouragement of then State Delegate Don McGlothlin and U.S. Congressman Rick Boucher, the Corps and VDOT explored potential benefits that might be derived from a joint project. Upon 
coordination, it became evident that cost savings could be achieved by combining projects, while at the same time meeting the non-federal cost sharing requirements of the town at no cost to the town.
The joint project consisted of the Corps' flood control project combined with VDOT's improvement of U.S. 460 through the town rather than bypassing the town. This plan was authorized for implementation by Congress in the Water Resources Development Act of 1996 at the request of Congressman Boucher. Subsequent to plan authorization, the Corps and VDOT worked together to minimize the impact of the improvement of U.S. 460 through Grundy on the existing town. VDOT is now ultimately responsible for:
- Acquiring properties needed to upgrade U.S. 460.
- Improving U.S. 460 and Route 83.
- Relocating town hall and community college.
A. Morton Thomas and Associates, Inc. is currently providing field engineering and construction phase services for the phase of project from 0.06 km south of existing Routes 460/83 (Vansant) to 0.6 km north of existing Routes 460/83 at Grundy for which:
- Town buildings that will undergo demolition both east and west of the proposed projects and parallel/east of the Levisa River are being purchased for right-of-way.
- The roadway is to be constructed east of the Levisa River and crossing Slate Creek, and construction will consist of the redevelopment of Route 460/83 east and west bound lanes from 2 separate routes to a four-lane undivided highway and construction of one bridge crossing Slate Creek.
Many buildings in the Town of Grundy are to be relocated west of the river where construction is underway by the USCOE. The Norfolk and Southern Railroad will also be relocated.
Other Construction Engineering & Inspection Projects
- Levisa River Flood Control, Grundy, VA
- On-Call Construction Engineering, Management & Inspection, District 6 & 7
- US 29 Madison Heights Bypass, Amherst County, VA
- West Point Bridges, Fredericksburg, VA
- On-Call Construction Engineering, Management, Inspection & Testing, City of Rockville, Maryland
- Pedestrian and Bicycle crossing of I-270 at MD 28
