OTTUMWA — Wapello County was approved for $5.35 million in I-JOBS grant money Monday for two major flood mitigation projects.

The cost to complete the projects, however, will total about $10.7 million. The remaining $5.35 million will be paid for with $3 million the county has in state, county and city bridge funds. The remainder $2.35 million the county will have to come up with itself, said Wapello County Supervisor Chairman Steve Siegel.

“Basically we’re getting a $10.7 million project for a little over $2 million of our own money,” Siegel said. “We’re very happy with that.”

The Chillicothe bridge construction would be a major project and would cost $5 million, or $7 million if the bridge is built over the railroad tracks. The project involves planning around the railroad lines that run nearby. In the initial agreement with the railroad, the county requested that if another railroad crossing is added, the county could get rid of one. The grant money will allow the bridge to be built over the tracks, Siegel said.

Gravel areas of Rock Bluff Road have had flooding issues in the past, so paving it would help prevent that and make the trip into Ottumwa easier.

An I-JOBS review committee recommended last week that the I-JOBS Board of Directors approve Wapello County’s request for funding, along with projects in 32 other counties.

Also approved was a $229,500 I-JOBS grant for the city of Ottumwa City Hall entrance reconstruction and energy-efficiency project.

Wapello County was among the five counties receiving the most money, behind Johnson, Linn, Black Hawk and Polk counties.

“We’re quite excited and still pinching ourselves to make sure its true,” Siegel said.

The county was competing with other counties in the state for a limited amount of money. Fifty-eight projects were approved statewide, totaling $118.5 million in funding.

The I-JOBS program, started by Gov. Chet Culver, will invest about $830 million over the next two years to create and retain jobs, recover from last year’s natural disasters and improve Iowa’s infrastructure. The funds will go toward Iowa’s roads and bridges, invest in renewable energy projects, improve water quality and upgrade public facilities, according to the governor’s Web site.

In addition to approving 58 projects for funding, the I-JOBS Board also voted to defer 35 projects totaling nearly $91 million. These projects will be eligible for funding if a second round of funding is available.

“The impact of this program is quick and far-reaching. Almost immediately, projects will begin to rebuild public infrastructure in all parts of Iowa. But most importantly, I-JOBS funds will be used to get Iowans working again,” Culver said in a press release.

Wapello County officials will be meeting with I-JOBS representatives in the next few weeks to negotiate contracts. Siegel said the projects will probably get going by next spring.

Pat Shaver can be reached at (641) 683-5360 or by e-mail at p.shaver@ottumwacourier.com.