By JOSHUA THOMAS

C-S-E Editor

FORT PLAIN — The Fort Plain Village Board was informed Monday that FEMA has approved emergency grant funding that will allow them to build a temporary roadway bypassing the damaged Clinton Avenue Extension.

FEMA will provide $183,105 for the project, while the State Emergency Management Association will provide $61,035, for a total of $244,140.

On Tuesday, Mayor Guy Barton stated, “This is very good news for Fort Plain. We are in the process of meeting with engineers presently.” He noted that DPW Superintendent George Capece will speak with numerous contractors, asking them to submit bids. Because the project has been ruled an emergency, the village does not have to seek bids via the traditional means, which “saves us 45 days in reference to advertising,” said Barton.

While damage from Tropical Storm Irene was what finally precipitated the road’s closure, FEMA has identified damages to the embankment adjacent to Clinton Avenue Ext. as existing prior to the storm, and for that reason, it was decided that permanent work is ineligible until the slope is stabilized.

The work on Clinton Ave Ext. will be treated as temporary and for emergency purposes. It will include passage around the damaged Clinton Ave Ext. by way of a temporary road, 250 feet in length. 10 feet will be added to the eastbound lane to create a new passage, with the project including the removal and relocation of existing storm sewer pipes, three existing catch basins, and the installation of two manholes for storm sewer alignment.

The Village Board will borrow funding for the time being, receiving compensation from FEMA and SEMA as soon as the project is complete and paperwork has been submitted and approved.