SACRAMENTO, Calif. - The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Sacramento District awarded a $125.9 million contract Sept. 24 to Granite Construction Company of Watsonville, Calif., to build the control structure for the new auxiliary spillway at Folsom Dam.
The contract award, which came in more than $70 million below initial government estimates, marks the start of the third phase of the Joint Federal Project, a partnership between the Corps and the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation to improve the dam and reduce the Sacramento region's flood risk.
"Today's contract announcement is great news for the people of Sacramento," said U.S. Rep. Doris Matsui (D-Sacramento). "The Joint Federal Project has come a long way since 2005. This additional spillway next to Folsom Dam is a crucial project and will reduce the flood risk for much of Sacramento, providing a 200-year level of protection in a cost-effective manner. The project team has done a tremendous job; the region can be proud of their efforts. And I am committed to continue to work with the Corps of Engineers, Bureau of Reclamation, California Department of Water Resources and the Sacramento Area Flood Control Agency to ensure this project gets done."
The Corps will oversee construction of the control structure, with work expected to begin in January 2011 and continue for 45 months, including nine months of additional excavation. The project's first two phases, completing most of the site excavation, were managed by the Bureau of Reclamation.
"This award marks a very important step towards reducing flood risk along the entire lower American River," Corps project manager Jason Magness said. "We're excited to take the reins from the Bureau of Reclamation and continue to make progress."
The Corps is also moving forward with the design of the remaining phases.
In the fourth phase, the Corps will build a 3,000-foot spillway chute and stilling basin, which will slow water leaving the dam to a level that can be contained by downstream levees. Lastly, the Corps will build a 1,100-foot approach channel connecting the new spillway to the dam. Together, the improvements will allow the dam to hold more water, and more safely release it when necessary.
Three firms submitted sealed bids for the contract Sept. 20, with Granite Construction submitting the lowest bid. Other firms submitting bids were Barnard-Shimmick Joint Venture of Bozeman, Mont., and Kiewit Pacific Co. of Concord, Calif.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Sacramento District provides flood risk reduction, navigation, watershed planning and ecosystem services in parts of eight western states, including California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Oregon and Wyoming.
Related Links:
Central Valley Flood Protection Board
Sacramento Area Flood Control Agency
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