What: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will close the Inner Harbor Navigation Canal-Lake Borgne Surge Barrier (IHNC) Gulf Intracoastal Waterway sector gate and Bayou Bienvenue lift gate due to the impacts from Tropical Storm Karen. Upon closure of these two gates, the entire IHNC Lake Borgne Surge Barrier structure will have been operated and closed. Once the sector gate is closed, navigation on the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway (GIWW) will be unable to pass from one side of the IHNC Surge Barrier to the other.
The IHNC Surge Barrier is a major feature of the Hurricane & Storm Damage Risk Reduction System that will reduce the risk associated with a storm surge that has a one percent chance of occurring in any given year, or a 100-year storm surge, for some of the areas hardest hit by Hurricane Katrina, including New Orleans East, metro New Orleans, Gentilly, the Ninth Ward and St. Bernard Parish. The total construction value for the IHNC-Lake Borgne Surge Barrier is an estimated $1.1 billion. The 1.8-mile long Inner Harbor Navigation Canal (IHNC)-Lake Borgne Surge Barrier, works in tandem with the Seabrook Floodgate Complex.
When: 9:00 a.m., Saturday, October 5, 2013
*Please contact Kristen Kendrick at 504-481-9671 if you are interested in attending. In the event that weather conditions require the sector gate to close prior to 9:00 a.m., a public affairs representative will be in contact with you. Please provide a point of contact so we may reach you if conditions change.
Who: Media are invited to attend. Representatives of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will be on hand to answer questions and participate in interviews. High-ranking elected and appointed local, state and federal officials are expected to attend.
Where: IHNC-Surge Barrier (14970 Intracoastal Drive, New Orleans, La.)
Directions
· From Chef Hwy
· Take a right on Intracoastal Blvd
· Take a right at first fork
· Follow road, pass up USACE office/Vulcan Site
· Take right at fork - and park (don't enter the gate)
· Access gate is about 100 yards from the fork
· Personnel will be on site to meet you.
For additional questions contact Kristen Kendrick at (504) 481-9671.
