YUMA, AZ – A $ 5.5 million federal grant is going toward the improvement and modernization of Yuma's water delivery and drainage system.
Doug Hendrix from the Bureau of Reclamation says, "It will be canal improvements and realigning. It will be a number of water conduits under hwy 95. You'll see some work at 4 ½ E and Highway 95 and 8 ½ E and Highway 95. We'll just be improving canals delivery infrastructure all along through that area."
Over the course of two years the $5 million project will be awarded in pieces to Fortis Networks a contractor out of phoenix. Hendrix says "They'll very likely be bringing in some construction contractors and some subcontractors out of this area for their heavy equipment and for their excavating. So, it should provide jobs and opportunity to this area."
Hendrix says the work has not begun yet but will mostly take place during 2013. The Bureau of Reclamation says some structures date back to the 1930's and although nothing is specifically wrong with them updates are necessary for agricultural purposes. Hendrix says "This area supplies 90% of winter vegetables for the entire U.S. So it's vital to the U.S. food delivery. So we take it very serious when we have money available to help with the infrastructure improvements."
The Bureau of Reclamation says they are very excited to be working with the agricultural community and water districts to improve the water system.
Social Tools