LPV145 Floodwalls - Bayou Bienvenue to Bayou Dupre
SALIENT FEATURES
Coastal Storm Surge Protection
Floodwalls and Levees
T walls
Alternative Analysis
Utility Conflict and Relocation
Early Contractor Involvement
Construction Cost: $65M+
CLIENT
US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), New Orleans District
LOCATION:
St. Bernard Parish, Louisiana
BACKGROUND
USACE New Orleans District initiated systemwide flood protection improvement projects in New Orleans around Lake Pontchartrain & Vicinity (LPV) to provide coastal storm surge protection and flood damage risk reduction. LPV 145 project ties with Bayou Dupre Sector gate complex at the south end and extends approximately 4000 ft., and ties to Bienvenue Lake Borgne Surge Barrier on the north end. The project scope included design of levees, pile supported floodwalls on top of levees, a closure gate, and tie-in segments at each end.
PROJECT FEATURE
infraTECH staff member Dr. Ifti Ahmad, while working for BioEngineering, designed floodwalls, closure gate, tie-in details at each end, coordinated with raised levee profile, and worked on utility relocation adjustment along the design reach. Upon completion of 100% design, infraTECH staff members supported project EDC phase, responded to RFIs and reviewed shop drawings, and performed site visits to resolve construction issues in the field. Dr. Ahmad served as the structural lead for this project.
The existing earthen levee at LPV145 set roughly at EL. 17 was overtopped and breached by the storm surge associated with Katrina. This necessitated a rise in the levee system by either solely increasing the levee height or in combination with T-wall on top the levee. Several engineering solutions were brought to bear for considerations to provide the necessary protection for 100-year risk reduction:
Traditional straddle earthen levee enlargement with stability berms
Earthen levees with deep soil mixing (DSM)
Earthen levees employing staged construction and wick drains
Reinforced concrete pile-supported floodwalls
The EDC team was consisted of Dr. Ahmad and other task leads for the project, as well as supporting staff who reviewed shop drawings, contractors’ submittals, responded to requests for information performed, site visits to ensure that the construction was being done in accordance with design. Dr. Ahmad provided much needed design modifications to remedy the field issues during construction.
The Bioengineering team as part of the JV led this project and Dr Ifti Ahmad (now infraTECH employee) led the design from the Bioengineering group. Initially, I was a little skeptical knowing that a small business entity would be the DOR and responsible for meeting the congressionally mandated delivery date for this fast-track project. Dr. Ifti and his team proved my skepticism wrong through quality design submission, excellent interdisciplinary coordination, quick and effective responses to ECI and EDC queries which paved the way to deliver this project on time and within budget and to the satisfaction of USACE and its Non-Federal Sponsors.
Chris Gilmore, PE
New Orleans District PM for this Task Order