The city of Frankenmuth is continuing to update its levee system this week to help prevent floods. Officials said this is the most disruptive project in the city’s history.
Officials said Frankenmuth’s current levee system is outdated and may not be able to prevent flood waters from affecting downtown.
The city is cutting down trees this week to make room for their new and improved levee.
Bridget Smith is the Frankenmuth City Manager. She said construction in Frankenmuth is usually planned during the off-season so that it doesn't interfere with their tourism industry.
“In years past if there was a water main replacement or a road replacement we usually pick the least busy time in town or we would require the contractor to pull of the job on peak weekends. With this project we won’t be doing that.”
Smith said one of the reasons the city had to start chopping down trees this week is because of bat mating season. Frankenmuth is a potential habitat for the Eastern Indiana and the Northern Long-Eared Bat, which are two federally protected species.
They mate from April to November which meant the city had to either cut down trees before April 1st or they would’ve had to wait until the end of November.
Smith said levee construction will take fifteen months to complete.