MEMPHIS, Tenn., May 30, 2012 – The Memphis District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, today awarded a Multiple Award Task Order Contract (MATOC) for repairs to the Birds Point-New Madrid frontline levee to three firms: Young’s General Contracting, of Poplar Bluff, Mo.; Kingridge Enterprises, Inc., of Little Rock, Ark.; and Harold Coffey Construction Co., of Hickman, Ky. The total contract amount is not to exceed $20 million.
"This is the first significant step in restoring the confluence area and the Birds Point-New Madrid Floodway from the damages incurred from the historical flood of 2011," Col. Vernie Reichling, the Corps’ Memphis District commander said on Wednesday. "Our team, made up of our partners in Missouri and in the Memphis District, has worked diligently to set the conditions for an excellent construction season this year.
"But this is only the first step," Col. Reichling went on to say. "We plan on awarding several contracts this year to repair damages in Kentucky and Illinois."
Task Order No. 1 for repairs to the upper crevasse was awarded to Young’s General Contracting for $2,438,963. This Task Order addresses permanent repairs and will provide a full levee cross-section at a level of protection equivalent to 55’ on the Cairo (Illinois) gage.
Additional Task Orders will provide for the completion of remaining work at all three crevasses to fully restore the Floodway frontline levee to its original condition prior to activation in May 2011.
Work to restore the Birds Point-New Madrid frontline levee is one part of the comprehensive repairs taking place in the confluence area where the Mississippi and Ohio rivers converge. Work is also in progress or planned for locations in and around Cairo, Ill., and in Fulton County, Ky.
As always, public safety remains the number one priority for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.