USIBWC Awards Contract for Presidio Levee Construction
Source U.S. Department of State
The United States Section of the International Boundary and Water Commission (USIBWC) awarded a $8,395,995 construction contract for rehabilitation of six miles of Rio Grande flood control levees in Presidio, Texas. The work will be undertaken on the downstream portion of the U.S. levee system at Presidio starting 1.2 miles downstream from the old railroad crossing and continuing downstream to the confluence with Brito Creek. The levees were severely damaged during a 2008 flood.
The contract was awarded to Magnus Pacific Corp. of Denton, Texas, in accordance with federal rules setting aside certain contracts for qualified small businesses. The project consists of repairing levee breaks that occurred in 2008 and raising the levee in other areas where the height has diminished due to overtopping in 2008 or long-term erosion. Additionally, structural improvements, such as a slurry wall and toe drain, will be constructed where needed to help control seepage under the levee. Work is scheduled to be completed in early 2012.
The USIBWC previously awarded a $6.3 million contract to Magnus Pacific for rehabilitation of approximately nine miles of levees in a segment located immediately upstream through the urban part of Presidio. Construction of that project, which was funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, began in September 2010 and is scheduled to be completed in July 2011.
Constructed in 1976, the Presidio Flood Control Project has 15 miles of U.S. levees designed for the 25-year flood, plus 4 ft of freeboard (the distance between the water surface elevation and the top of the levee). Companion levees provide protection on the Mexican side of the Rio Grande. The U.S. levees are being restored to their original 25-year design.
“This contract will allow us to repair a levee reach that was severely damaged during the 2008 flood, including several segments that washed out. These improvements will strengthen the levees in the Presidio area to provide better protection for the community,” said U.S. Commissioner Edward Drusina.
Prior to awarding the levee rehabilitation contracts, the USIBWC completed emergency repairs to the Presidio levees.
The International Boundary and Water Commission, United States and Mexico, is responsible for applying the boundary and water treaties between the two countries. The U.S. Section of the commission maintains flood control levees along various parts of the Rio Grande in New Mexico and Texas.
Source: U.S. Department of State
