photo by: Derek Redd

Drainage issues for Elm Run have been a problem for Wheeling’s Woodsdale neighborhood for years.

WHEELING — Progress continues on the Elm Run Stormwater Management Project, which should help alleviate drainage issues that have plagued the Woodsdale neighborhood of Wheeling for many years.

This week, Wheeling City Manager Robert Herron provided an update on the project, which is being managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

“It is progressing,” Herron said. “We’re also out in the neighborhood talking to residents about the project.”

For decades, the small brook that meanders through the residential neighborhood has caused a myriad of headaches for residents after heavy rains, with problems such as drainage backups and basement flooding. The issue had reportedly worsened over the past 10 years until efforts were made to dredge out congested portions of the run.

However, a long-term solution to the lingering issue has been in the works. The major stormwater management plan for Elm Run and the impacted neighborhood around Edgington Lane actually extends outside city limits and involves several hundred acres — both developed and undeveloped — that drain into the run, officials noted.

Congressionally Directed Spending — or an “earmark” — was received for $521,000 for engineering of the project. The total cost of engineering was reported to be $695,000, with the city providing at $174,000 match.

“Ultimately, even though this will be a federally funded project, it will be a city project,” Herron said. “So city staff has been approaching affected property owners to gauge their interest and kind of go over what the game plan is for a temporary construction easement so all of that can be secured once the engineering is completed and hopefully receive funding to do the Elm Run drainage improvement project.”

Ward 5 Councilman Ty Thorngate noted that city council had previously approved an allocation through American Rescue Plan Act funding for related work on a portion of the Elm Run.

“With ARPA funds, we had approved the enlargement of the culvert that goes under Miller Street,” Thorngate said.

“Actually, the Miller Street culvert project will be included in the Elm Run project, so it does not have to be funded through ARPA funding,” Herron said. “We went through there, hired a contractor and dredged that out, and it made a significant difference there. But ultimately, that’s covered under the Elm Run project, as are some of the backyard walls that were caved in as part of the storms this summer. Those are also being evaluated for repair, as well. It’s a very comprehensive project, but it does focus on Elm Run itself and improving the drainage way as it is now.”

Officials have noted that once the design of the project is complete, it will be an actual construction document that will be presented to Wheeling City Council for consideration when the plan is ready to move into the construction phase.