GALLIPOLIS — The Gallipolis City Commission expressed their gratitude to state and federal emergency management agencies for helping to fund two weather-related projects in Gallipolis. City Commissioners voted Tuesday to accept a bid for the repair of the old Mound Hill Cemetery Road and also learned of a 75 percent match from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for debris removal in Gallipolis following the devastating June 29 storm.

Old Mound Hill Cemetery Road was closed after the road began slipping following heavy rains in April and May of 2010. According to city officials, in addition to providing access to Mound Hill Cemetery, the road is also used to access communication towers that support Gallia County 9-1-1, local and state emergency services, commercial phone carriers and the city’s reservoir.

According to City Manager Randy Finney, City Commissioners accepted a low bid of $706,270 from Foill, Inc., a construction company located in Waverly, Ohio.

Repair will include a 664-foot drilled H-pile retaining wall system along with 704 feet of newly constructed roadway.

According to Finney, the Ohio Emergency Management Agency (EMA) and FEMA will provide 87.5 percent of the funding for the repair.

Finney told the Gallipolis Daily Tribune that the city will be meeting with the awarded contractor soon to work out the details of the construction schedule. Once begun, work is expected to take 90-120 days to complete, weather permitting.

Although winter is well on its way, Finney said that the majority of repair will be focused on drilling and constructing the retaining wall, which is not as weather-dependent as paving. He said that Foill, Inc. has experience with this type of construction and looks forward to working in Gallipolis.

“The City Commissioners have been very dilligent in securing funding to repair the damaged road,” said Finney. “They understand the concerns of the citizens that need to use this road and appreciate the Emergency Management Agencies for their support in funding a majority of these costs.”

Finney said that Gallipolis officials have appreciated the patience of the public in dealing with the time it has taken to reach a solution to the problem of the failing roadway.

“All efforts will be given to make sure this project is completed as efficiently and quickly as possible,” added Finney.

Finney also told the City Commission that FEMA has also agreed to provide $21,320 toward the city’s claim of $28,472 for debris removal within the city following the damaging straight-line winds that occurred as part of the June 29, 2012, storm. That storm caused severe damage to Pine Grove Cemetery, the Gallipolis City Park and other locations throughout Gallipolis.

Any questions about the upcoming construction and repair of the old Mound Hill Cemetery Road can be directed to the City Manager’s Office at (740) 446-2489 (CITY).