The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Jacksonville District has awarded a contract to replace the 26th and final water control structure within the Herbert Hoover Dike (HHD) as part of the ongoing rehabilitation project for the earthen structure surrounding Lake Okeechobee.
The Corps awarded the contract Apr. 11, 2019, for $23.5 million to Kiewit Infrastructure South Co. of Orlando, Fla. The contract calls for replacement of Culvert S-284 (HP-5) along Harney Pond Canal in Glades County, northwest of the lake. This water control structure provides drainage and flood reduction to landowners in the area.
“This award represents the 16th construction contract for the replacement of 26 water control structures since 2011,” said Project Manager Timothy Willadsen. “S-284 (HP-5) is the final culvert replacement in the Herbert Hoover Dike Project. Over $500 million has been spent on water control structures as part of the ongoing rehabilitation of the Herbert Hoover Dike since 2011.”
Rehabilitating the Herbert Hoover Dike is one of Jacksonville District’s top priorities. With more than $1 billion invested in rehabilitation efforts since 2001, dike rehabilitation has received more funding over the past few years than any other dam-safety construction project in the nation. Additionally, the Corps has allocated $514 million from the Bipartisan Budget Act passed by Congress in 2018 along with $100 million in contributions from the state of Florida to complete rehabilitation efforts by 2022. In addition to replacing and abandoning water control structures, the Corps anticipates constructing cutoff walls, armoring and raising embankments, and other work that will decrease risk.
For further information about Herbert Hoover Dike, please visit our website at www.saj.usace.army.mil.
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Release no. 19-015