Duluth flooding repairs could cost $50-$80 million

DULUTH, Minn. (AP) — The city of Duluth is setting priorities as it begins to plan repairs to its infrastructure heavily damaged by last week’s flooding.

Mayor Don Ness estimates repairs to public property will cost $50 million to $80 million. Public works director Jim Benning says at the top of the list for repairs is the West Skyline Parkway.

Washouts along the parkway have left some residents isolated. Benning says some of the bigger repair jobs will take months. Mayor spokeswoman Pakou Ly said Monday the Federal Emergency Management Agency might not be in Duluth until Thursday.

In the meantime, Ly says city staffers are assessing damage to private property. And the state Department of Transportation and Homeland Security and Emergency Management officials are advising ahead of the FEMA visit.

Teams of federal, state and local representatives will begin work to tally flood damage in 13 Minnesota counties and the Fond du Lac reservation on Tuesday.

FEMA, the state Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management and local government will form four teams who will tour the flood-damaged areas.

Assessments will be made in Cook, Crow Wing, Dakota and Sibley counties Tuesday; in Lake, Aitkin, Goodhue, Meeker, Kandiyohi counties Wednesday; and in St. Louis, Carlton, Rice and Pine counties Thursday.