Construction option awarded for Seabrook Floodgate Structure

NEW ORLEANS – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers yesterday awarded the construction option for the Seabrook Floodgate to Alberici Constructors, reaching a pivotal milestone in reducing risk for residences and businesses in Orleans Parish and allowing the construction phase of the project to begin. An Early Contractor Involvement (ECI) contract was awarded last fall to Alberici Constructors for preconstruction services.

The Seabrook Floodgate will consist of a sector gate and two vertical lift gates approximately 540 feet south of the Ted Hickey Bridge with floodwall tie-ins on the east and west sides. When complete, the Seabrook Floodgate and Lake Borgne Surge Barrier will reduce impacts to Orleans Metro, New Orleans East, Gentilly, the Lower Ninth Ward and St. Bernard Parish from a storm surge event that has a one percent chance of occurring in any given year.

“We have already completed the majority of the of the Lake Borgne Surge Barrier to reduce the risk of storm surge from entering the front door of the Greater New Orleans area,” said Col. Robert Sinkler, Commander of the Hurricane Protection Office. “With only 10 months before the start of the 2011 Hurricane Season, it is equally important that we get the Seabrook Floodgate under construction to reduce the risk of storm surge from entering the back door.”