NEW ORLEANS – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers recently awarded a $12.5 million contract to RCG Enterprises, Inc., a Florida-based service disabled veteran-owned small business, for construction of floodwall and floodgates adjacent to the Lakefront Airport in New Orleans East. Public safety is the Corps’ top priority and the project will reduce impacts from a 100-year storm surge event, which has a one percent chance of occurring in any given year.
The approximately twelve month contract calls for constructing a new floodwall alignment to elevation 15.5 feet, as well as two floodgates across Downman Road. Construction is expected to begin in May.
“It has been 17 months since we awarded a construction contract along the lakefront in New Orleans East, said Col. Robert Sinkler,” commander of the Hurricane Protection Office. “We greatly appreciate the assistance of federal and state government organizations, and the land owners who have assisted us in the successful real estate negotiations that made the start of this particular project possible.”
Added Sinkler, “The Corps is committed to providing 100-year risk reduction in June 2011, which is only 14 months away, and we need to get four more contracts awarded in New Orleans East to ensure that we will meet our goal.”
Release no. 10-094