NEW ORLEANS – As of July 9, 2009, the physical construction of the Mississippi River Gulf Outlet (MRGO) closure structure is complete. A total of 352,086 tons of stone have been installed in the channel over the past 6 months at a total cost of $11.2 M.
“Thanks to the hard work of the Corps team, our contractor, and our stakeholders, we were able to complete this project ahead of schedule,” says COL Alvin Lee, New Orleans District Commander. “With completion of the MRGO closure structure, attention can be turned to future work in the area, which will include ecosystem restoration projects to protect and rebuild coastal wetlands.”
Building the MRGO closure structure included the placement of approximately 126,274 tons of jetty stone removed from Breton Sound and 225,812 tons of quarry stone materials. The structure stretches 950 ft across the MRGO channel, and has a 12-foot top crown, a 450-foot bottom width, and a height of 7 feet above the water level.
Boaters are urged to use caution in the area around the rock closure structure and to use alternate routes for marine transit in the area.
The federal government funded the construction costs, with the state of Louisiana, through the Southeast Louisiana Flood Protection Authority – East, providing lands, easements and rights of way. With construction completed, the Corps is preparing a construction completion report and other project details that will be provided to the state to assume long-term operation and maintenance responsibilities for the closure structure.
For additional information on the MRGO closure and coastal restoration, visit www.mrgo.gov
Release no. 09-078