Alberici Prepares to Construct New Orleans Flood Gate
April 26, 2010
ST. LOUIS -- Alberici Constructors, Inc. is moving rapidly to kick off construction of the Seabrook Gate Complex, a key piece of the federal government’s efforts to protect New Orleans from hurricanes.
On April 15, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers issued a Notice to Proceed for Alberici to begin its mobilization phase of the project. In this phase, Alberici will drive test pilings at the project site on the Inner Harbor Navigation Canal, survey the project site on the canal, test groundwater and procure long-lead items.
“We are excited to launch a project that continues our tradition of building high-quality industrial infrastructure,” said Alberici Chief Operating Officer LeRoy J. Stromberg Jr.
The Corps awarded Alberici a contract for preconstruction services last October with two options for construction, including the mobilization phase, for a total of $154.2 million to construct the Seabrook Gate Complex. When complete, the complex will operate in tandem with the Lake Borgne surge barrier to reduce impacts to the New Orleans area from a storm surge event that has a one percent chance of occurring in any given year.
The Corps’ Hurricane Protection Office in New Orleans has created a video rendering that illustrates how the gate complex and another storm protection project are to be constructed as well as how they are expected to operate in case of a storm. To view the video segments on the Seabrook Gate Complex, click on the image below.
Click on this image to see a video rendering of the Seabrook Gate Complex
Until recently, Alberici’s work on the project mainly consisted of preconstruction planning and scheduling. With the April 15 notice to proceed, Alberici now expects to shift into high gear, mobilizing a staff of about 15 people to temporary offices at the project site in June, said Alberici Vice President David Calcaterra, project manager for the Seabrook project. Construction is expected to start in June, he said.
The complex includes concrete structures as well as gates that can be closed in case of storm conditions. Construction of the project is expected to require 50,000 cubic yards of reinforced concrete and 850 tons of structural steel gates. Alberici expects to complete the project in 2011.
Alberici, based in St. Louis, reported $1.3 billion in revenue in 2008, and is ranked as the 47th largest construction firm in the United States by the Engineering News-Record.
For information, please contact Jim Klingensmith at (314) 733-2462, email: jklingensmith@alberici.com