What: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is hosting a media tour of St. Bernard Risk reduction projects on Wednesday, May 4, 2011. The tour will begin in Caernarvon and show the progress of the floodwall between Verret and Caernarvon. In addition, Integrated Pro Services, L.L.C., the prime construction contractor for the floodgate at Highway 46 in Verret, will host a ribbon cutting ceremony at the project site to celebrate the achievement of reaching the 100-year level of risk reduction for that project. Construction at Caernarvon and at the floodwall between Verret and Caernarvon is under way and will be complete in May 2011, while construction is substantially complete at the Highway 46 floodgate.
At the Caernarvon Canal, the Corps recently installed a 26-foot-high sector gate, and the Corps will soon finish work on a floodwall that will tie into the Mississippi River Levee, a vehicle gate at Highway 39 and a railroad gate at the Norfolk Southern Railroad track. All features in Caernarvon are at an elevation of 26 feet before tying into the Mississippi River levee at about 21.5 feet.
Between Verret and Caernarvon, the Corps is constructing a floodwall that ranges in height from 26 to 32 feet. The floodwall stretches about eight miles between Verret and Caernarvon and closes off the southernmost portion of the St. Bernard Parish risk reduction system. The Corps has also constructed a 26-foot-high vehicle gate at Highway 46. Crews are testing the gate this week, and traffic along Highway 46 will resume its normal pattern beginning next week.
When: 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 4, 2011.
Where: The tour will consist of two stops. The first stop will be at the Caernarvon Canal (next to Elevating Boats, L.L.C., 900 St. Bernard Parkway, Braithwaite, La. 70040). Participants will be able to see construction at Caernarvon, as well as at the adjacent floodwall between Verret and Caernarvon. The second stop will be at the floodgate at Highway 46 in Verret for the ribbon cutting ceremony (near Fire Station 10, 3901 Bayou Road, Verret, La. 70085). Please see the attached map for more detailed driving directions. Participants will caravan from Caernarvon to Verret.
Who: Col. Robert Sinkler, commander of the Hurricane Protection Office and other invited guests.
Planning to attend: Please call (504) 862-2080 to R.S.V.P. no later than 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 3, 2011. This event is not open to the public.
Note to media: These are active construction sites. Participants must comply with the following dress requirements:
• Long Pants
• Sleeved Shirts – No tank tops, no muscle shirts
• Closed-Toe Shoes – No heels or sandals (Steel-toed shoes preferred)
• Hard hats and safety vests must be worn and will be provided at the site