Corps to discuss Request for Proposal for Permanent Canal Closures and Pumps

Published March 23, 2010

NEW ORLEANS, LA – The Corps is hosting the third in a three-part series of public meetings on Wednesday, Mar. 24, at Dillard University’s Lawless Chapel, 2601 Gentilly Blvd., in Gentilly to describe how public feedback is incorporated into the Request for Proposal (RFP) to build thePermanent Canal Closures and Pumps (PCCP) at the 17th St., London Ave. and Orleans Ave. Outfall Canals. The Corps’ number one priority is public safety. When complete, the project would reduce impacts from a storm surge event that has a one percent chance of occurring in any given year.

“The Corps is working closely with community members, as well as the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority of Louisiana, the Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans, South Louisiana Flood Protection Authority-East, Jefferson Drainage Department East, Jefferson Levee District and the Orleans Levee District, to develop the final Request for Proposal,” said Dan Bradley, senior project manager. “Our team is ready to move forward in finalizing the RFP and beginning the two-phase process of awarding the contract.”

The first phase is expected to be advertised soon which will result in a short list of qualified bidders in preparation for Phase II.
This series of public meetings was developed to ensure that community members had an opportunity to provide input into the RFP and the kind of pump stations that will be constructed at the mouths of the outfall canals. The first meeting was held in Nov. 2009 to recap the project purpose and highlight the technical sections of the RFP for the public’s review. The second meeting was held in Jan. 2010 to allow community members to provide feedback on the RFP in a small group setting.

The Corps has hosted more than 30 public meetings throughout development of the proposed plan for the PCCP.

The Interim Closure Structures (ICS) currently at the mouths of the outfall canals are temporary measures that reduce risk from a storm surge event that has a 1 percent chance of occurring in any given year; however, the lifespan of the ICS is limited.

Last week, the Corps signed a Project Partnership Agreement with The Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority (CPRA) of Louisiana to build the PCCP with adaptable features for future enhancements, should they be Congressionally authorized and funded. This agreement enables the Corps to move forward with the process to award a design-build contract to replace the ICS.

Meeting details are:
When: Wednesday, Mar. 24, 2010
Open house 6 to 6:30 p.m.
Presentation and discussion 6:30 p.m.
Where: Dillard University, Lawless Chapel

2601 Gentilly Blvd.,

New Orleans, LA 70122


Questions or comments concerning the Permanent Canal Closures and Pumps may be addressed to:

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

Hurricane Protection Office -- PCCP

P.O. Box 60267

New Orleans, LA 70160-0267

Phone: 504-862-2201

Fax: 504-862-2088

E-mail:

PermanentPumpStations@usace.army.mil.

 

For more information or to sign up to be on a meeting notification list please visit:

 

www.nolaenvironmental.gov


Release no. 10-101