NEW ORLEANS – The Corps of Engineers awarded two construction contracts yesterday that, once completed, will help reduce the risk of impacts from storm surge for residences and businesses on the east bank of Jefferson Parish.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New Orleans District awarded contracts for the two levee reaches stretching from the Duncan Pump Station to the Suburban Pump Station. Four miles of levee will be raised to reduce impacts from a storm event that has a 1 percent chance of occurring each year.
“These enlarged levees work in tandem with the other features along the Lakefront system, such as floodgates at roadways and fronting protection at pump stations, to reduce risk,” said Mervin Morehiser, project manager.
The two contracts were awarded to Southern Services and Equipment, Inc. of St. Bernard, LA, a small business, for approximately $7M. Levee Reach 2, stretching from Duncan Pump Station to Elmwood Pump Station, and levee Reach 3, stretching from Elmwood Pump Station to Suburban Pump Station, will be raised to an elevation of 16.5 ft. The work is expected to be completed before the 2011 hurricane season.
Access to the Lakefront bike path will be restricted by the East Jefferson Levee District in these areas. The construction of an all–weather access road is included in both contracts.
Please address questions about Corps projects to AskTheCorps@usace.army.mil.
Release no. 09-080