Work is underway to build up the levee system along the Raccoon River to reduce the risk of flooding. According to a news release, the project will also increase resilience as weather patterns and flooding become more unpredictable. Patrick Beane, the city of Des Moines’ clean water program administrator, said the project goes “above and beyond” standards to enhance flood protection. “This project will have a massive impact on our downtown’s ability to handle flooding events,” Beane said in the release. The work started near Southwest Seventh Street and includes both sides of the Raccoon River. That work is expected to be complete by October. Subsequent work west to Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway has a scheduled completion date of October 2023. Crews are currently working on phase B of the eight-phase program, which isn’t expected to be completed until 2028.