Manhattan multiyear levee project coming to a close

MANHATTAN (KSNT) - The City of Manhattan has announced that a levee improvement project will soon be complete after two-and-a-half years of construction

On Friday, June 28, the southern section of the Linear Trail from South Manhattan Avenue to the boat ramp at US-24 and River Trails on the west bank of the Kansas River will reopen. The city's Parks and Recreation Department will continue to maintain trails in the area.

“June is when we celebrate National Trails Day and this is a perfect time to reopen these popular trails to public use,” said Director of Parks and Recreation Aaron Stewart. “We would like to thank our terrific partners in the Public Works Department and Stormwater Division, as well ESI and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, for their tireless efforts to restore these trails to a new condition.”

The city said most of the trail surfaces were replaced and the city will continue to perform maintenance prior to opening. Wayfinding signage is being redesigned and benches are scheduled to be installed in 2025.

"The levee project, administered by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), will substantially enhance the reliability and structural integrity of the Manhattan Levee system and increase the level of protection from flooding events along both the Big Blue River and Kansas River," the City of Manhattan said in the press release. "This project has raised the height of the levee, as well as replaced critical structures and equipment along the levee that were installed during the original construction project in the early 1960s."

If you'd like to report issues or problems along the trail system you can use the city's Report It app by clicking here.

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