NEW ORLEANS – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers recently awarded a contract to storm proof four pump stations on the East Bank of Orleans Parish so that they can remain operational during and immediately following tropical events.
“This project includes several crucial pump stations,” said John Ashley, branch chief for existing pump stations in the Corps’ Hurricane Protection Office. “These particular pump stations are integral in providing flood protection to the most densely populated parts of New Orleans.”
On December 2, the Corps awarded an $8.35 million base contract to Benetech, L.L.C., a New Orleans-based service disabled veteran-owned small business, to storm proof Pump Station 1, which is located on South Broad Street near Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard. On December 3, a $6.7 million option of that contract was awarded to Benetech, L.L.C., to storm proof Pump Stations 2 and 4 and the Interstate 10 Pump Station. Pump Station 2 is located on North Broad Street between Canal Street and Orleans Avenue. Pump Station 4 is adjacent to the London Avenue Canal between Robert E. Lee Boulevard and Filmore Avenue and the I-10 Pump Station is along I-10 near its juncture with West End Boulevard.
Storm-proofing measures for the abovementioned pump stations include strengthening walls, strengthening and / or replacing roofs, installing new doors and windows, adding back-up generators and miscellaneous electrical and mechanical work. The notice to proceed will be issued later this month and work will take approximately 14 months to complete.
Marcia St. Martin, executive director of the Sewerage & Water Board, added, “This work will strengthen the existing buildings, making it safer for S&WB employees that stay on site, working throughout all significant weather events. It will also provide back-up generator power to the facilities, making the stations more independent of Entergy power and dependable during commercial power losses that occur during storms and adverse weather events.”
She stated, “Our staff has worked in very close contact with the Corps of Engineers staff and their consultants to move this project rapidly through the design and bidding process. The Sewerage and Water Board is pleased to partner with the Corps of Engineers in moving forward with this important project that will increase the safety for both our residents and employees.”