O'Halleran Announces Over $65 Million for Winslow Levee Project

Statement

Today, Congressman Tom O'Halleran (AZ-01) announced that $65.75 million in federal funding secured under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act had been awarded to physically complete and fiscally close out the Little Colorado River Winslow Levee project.

In total, Arizona will receive over $84.5 million, with over $73.7 million headed to projects in Arizona's First Congressional District. A list of FY2022 funding awarded is available, HERE.

The existing levee system along the Little Colorado River is at risk of failure, posing a severe threat to the City of Winslow and surrounding areas that lie in the floodplain. In 2008, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) decertified the Winslow levee, requiring nearly two-thirds of Winslow residents, many on a limited income, to carry flood insurance.

This decertification added 2,700 parcels to the flood plain, including 1,500 structures, stifling property values due to FEMA restrictions on improvements and renovations of properties and structures located in the floodplain. Nearly every home, business, school, hospital, and emergency service provider in Winslow is in a 100-year flood zone.

Flooding also poses a threat to the Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) railroad bridge over the Little Colorado River, which carries $35 billion of freight annually, providing a direct link between Chicago and Los Angeles.

"Without this funding, the Winslow levee was at risk of failure, jeopardizing a very large portion of the city of Winslow that lies in the floodplain, and the hardworking Arizonans that call the area home," said Rep. O'Halleran. "I was proud to have a leading role in developing and supporting the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, and I am beyond pleased to see these funds awarded to complete this urgently-needed project that will protect Arizona families, support Winslow's economic growth, and create new jobs in the process."

"This is a tremendous opportunity for the City of Winslow and Navajo County," said Navajo County Chairwoman Whitesinger. "I am grateful to our Federal Delegation who worked hard to pass the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which allocated the much-needed funding for this project. Thank you to the many people who worked to bring this critical infrastructure to fruition, including President Nez, Navajo County Vice Chairman Peshlakai, and Mayor Roberta Cano. Your collaboration and advocation for the community of Winslow are to be commended."

"T'áá íiyisíí ahéhee', nitsaago! Navajo County is tremendously grateful for Congressman O'Halleran, Senator Kelly, and Senator Sinema's role in helping us make history happen in Winslow Arizona," said Navajo County Vice Chairman and District II Representative Alberto Peshlakai. "The critical funding announced today by the White House's Office of Management and Budget brings this project from concept to reality and will help ensure the vitality and resilience of the City of Winslow! The time and effort invested by our Federal Delegation have kept this issue at the forefront of the funding conversation when it could have easily been bypassed for larger projects. In addition, as a member of the Navajo Nation, I am especially gratified that the $65.75 million that our congressional leaders have helped secure for us will provide a measure of justice for Navajo relocatees whom the federal government forcibly relocated into Winslow's flood plain."

"We are extremely grateful for Congressman O'Halleran's leadership in securing the final $65.75 million to design and construct the Winslow Levee Project," said Winslow Mayor Roberta "Birdie" Cano stated. "His commitment and support for this critical infrastructure project has never wavered and today's exciting news is validation of his incredible efforts on our behalf."

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