KANSAS CITY, MO The collaborative effort to complete a major project to control flooding near Turkey Creek is entering its final phase, thanks to a nearly $32 million combined investment from the city of Kansas City, Missouri, the Unified Government of Wyandotte County/Kansas City, Kansas, and the federal government.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, coordinators of this bi-state project, joined the contingent on hand Friday to celebrate starting this final phase -- symbolized by officials tossing away rubber boots, which won't be needed so often as this flood-control project protects the community along Southwest Boulevard.

This area, which experienced serious floods in 1951, 1961, 1990 and 1993, is prone to flooding every three to five years. In 1998, flood waters damaged businesses and threatened lives along the creek's corridor in Wyandotte County. More than $12 million in flood damages were recorded that year.

The Turkey Creek plan will strengthen the corridor by installing native landscaping and a 10-mile trail. This successful undertaking has been greatly helped by the sustained and effective efforts of Congressional delegations in Kansas and Missouri.

"This is a major victory for residents and businesses near Turkey Creek," KCMO Mayor Sly James said. "I'm very happy that we can ride the momentum gained from our successful bond election in April to quickly respond with funding for the final phase of this flood-control project."

This project was funded by revenue from the GO KC bonds totaling more than $7.3 million in conjunction with nearly $3 million from the Unified Government and more than $21.5 million from the federal cost share.

The plan involves channel widening, tunnel modifications and relocating bridges. The project area is located mainly along Interstate 35 and Southwest Boulevard in Kansas City, Kansas, and Kansas City, Missouri. This final phase will intercept water from the area of 31st Street and Roanoke and divert it to the Turkey Creek Channel just south of Turkey Creek in Kansas City, Kansas.

Federal funding typically covers at least 65 percent of a flood-control project's cost, while local governments must come up with the rest. The local match is possible now because KCMO voters in April approved up to $150 million in flood-control money as part of an $800 million, 20-year capital improvements program for streets, sidewalks and other infrastructure needs. The plan is to spend $45 million during the first year of the program.

Construction should begin in early 2018 and is scheduled to take approximately three years to complete.