Revised Plan Presented for Tamiami Trail Project

Public Meeting Held on April 22

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has released a tentatively selected plan for the Tamiami Trail Modifications project. The plan consists of two key components: 1) a one-mile long bridge in the project area’s eastern segment, and 2) raising the level on the north side of the L-29 borrow canal by 1 foot to 8.5 feet; which will require road improvements on parts of the U.S. 41 (Tamiami Trail).

This tentatively selected plan is called Alternative 3.2.2.a. This plan is included in the recently completed Limited Reevaluation Report.

A public meeting was held on April 22 to present the draft Limited Reevaluation Report and Environmental Assessment for the Tamiami Trail Modifications project. More than 60 members of the public attended the meeting at the FIU Pharmed Arena in Miami. Col. Paul Grosskruger, commander of the Corps of Engineers, Jacksonville District conducted the meeting. The draft Limited Reevaluation Report has been placed on the Web and a 30-day public comment period is open through May 9, 2008. Construction on the project could begin later this year.

The Tamiami Trail Modifications is part of the Modified Water Deliveries to Everglades National Park project, originally authorized by Congress in 1989. The Tamiami Trail component will make improvements to this east-west road in Miami-Dade County, to increase the water flow south to Everglades National Park. It will enhance the hydrology of the Everglades wetlands north of the road, as well.

A plan was presented in 2005, but the plan cost escalated to $452 million even after all reasonable cost saving measures were applied. In early 2008, Congress directed the Corps of Engineers to develop a project that provided a significant increase but cost substantially less than the 2005 plan. The estimated cost of the construction alone on the tentatively selected plan is $177 million.

Total project costs could amount to as much $225.4 million if cost escalation is factored in.

This plan provides the “maximum benefit for the cost,” states Gwen Nelson, a Corps engineer and technical lead for the project. “The new plan meets cost parameters and meets hydrologic flow.”

For additional information about the public meeting, the Limited Reevaluation Report, how to comment online, or other project information, please visit http://www.saj.usace.army.mil and click on the link under “Hot Topics.”

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Public Meetings Planned for CERP Master Recreation Plan

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Jacksonville District and South Florida Water Management District are hosting a series of nine public meetings throughout south Florida in April and May to present and receive feedback on regionally based recreation plans for the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP) Master Recreation Plan.

The Master Recreation Plan is a “living document” that will guide planners in recommending recreation activities and facilities within CERP projects. In 2006, the planning team hosted a series of meetings and received public input on existing recreation conditions, future recreation needs and recreation trends and issues.

At the 2008 meetings, planners will discuss how they applied the information received during the 2006 meetings and present regional recreation analyses and conceptual plans for review.

Public meetings begin with a short presentation, followed by an open house during which attendees may meet and talk with the planners. The meetings take place from April 14 to May 7 in nine south Florida cities. All are held from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Public comments also will be taken online or by mail through May 23.

For meeting locations and dates, to comment on the plan, and for more information, please visit http://www.evergladesplan.org/pm/progr_master_rec_plan_2008_meetings.aspx.

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Corps Uses Advanced Technology and Expertise to Rehabilitate Hoover Dike

The Corps of Engineers is using advanced engineering technology and other measures to ensure success at the Herbert Hoover Dike.

The Herbert Hoover Dike surrounds Lake Okeechobee and is more than 70 years old. It was built of earthen materials, which was a construction method that was considered state-of-the-art in the 1920s. It has never failed to serve its purpose of containing the waters of Lake Okeechobee. In 2000, Congress authorized the rehabilitation of the 143-mile dike. The rehabilitation project will cost an estimated $856 million. The dike will be built to the national dam safety standards.

The Corps of Engineers is taking every opportunity to ensure that the rehabilitation progresses efficiently and in the safest manner possible. It considers the safety of the residents of south Florida its highest priority.

To ensure this, the Corps is approaching the rehabilitation in three ways: technical experts review the plans in advance; innovative technologies and construction companies worldwide are sought for the rehabilitation work; and technical experts and quality assurance teams review work in progress and upon job completion, to ensure engineering meets the highest standards.

A Corps contractor recently constructed a test panel for one section near Port Mayaca using a method that was developed in Japan. The method involves a cutting and mixing arm that mixes cement with foundation soil in a continuous trench as the trench is being dug. For the test panel, the arm extended 80 feet deep through the center of the dike and into the foundation.

Two other companies have received performance-based contracts for the cutoff wall as well. Potentially, all three could be working simultaneously.

“All of these measures help ensure the Herbert Hoover Dike Rehabilitation Project continues to move forward as rapidly, safely and effectively as possible,” said Col. Paul Grosskruger, Corps of Engineers’ commander of the Jacksonville District. For additional information and updates, please visit http://www.saj.usace.army.mil/cco/HHD/hhdike.htm

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Integrated Delivery Schedule to be Developed

Everglades restoration is very complex. More than 200 individual projects, plans and studies comprise the restoration initiative. To help streamline some projects and achieve restoration benefits sooner, an Integrated Delivery Schedule is being developed.

One goal of the schedule is to provide the earliest restoration benefits possible to the Everglades ecosystem. “Integrated Delivery is all about putting projects in the ground now,” reports Stuart Appelbaum, deputy for restoration program management for the Corps of Engineers. It will show what can be accomplished in the next 10 years, he added.

This schedule is being developed for several reasons: 1) to integrate project schedules of the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP) with schedules of non-CERP projects that also benefit the Everglades, such as the earlier Foundation Projects, 2) to take into account new recommendations from the National Academy of Sciences focusing on ensuring restoration benefits occur as early as possible, addressing uncertainties, and applying lessons learned to future components; and 3) to take current funding issues into consideration.

The plan will be discussed at the South Florida Ecosystem Restoration Task Force meeting on May 21 and 22. The schedule will be developed with an emphasis on public involvement – gathering public input on prioritizing and sequencing projects. For more information, visit www.evergladesplan.org and click on the “Programs” tab.

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Spreading the Word about Everglades Education!

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers participated in the National Science Teachers Association conference to raise awareness of its Everglades education curriculum. The conference was held in Boston from March 27 to 30. An estimated 14,000 science teachers, coordinators and teacher trainers attended. On left, Erica Robbins, outreach program specialist with the Corps of Engineers, Jacksonville District discusses the education program with an attendee. All materials are available free in downloadable format at http://www.evergladesplan.org/education/educ_resources.aspx.

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“Name that CERP Sound” At the Movies

In recognition of Earth Day, the Corps of Engineers “Name that CERP Sound” game was on display at movie theatres in south Florida. Participants heard the characteristic chatter of critters of the Everglades and were given a short amount of time to identify the sound. In addition, students from nearby schools had the opportunity to display their favorite critter on corrugated cardboard tiles, also set for display at the theaters. Participants took home a “Name that CERP Sound” button and other educational, environmental goods. For more information, visit www.evergladesplan.org or call 1-877-CERP-USA!

National Magazines Feature Corps Restoration Program

The Corps of Engineers greater Everglades ecosystem restoration program recently received attention in two national magazines: Engineering News-Record and Delta Sky. For more information, visit http://enr.construction.com or http://www.delta-sky.com/2008_03/postcards/
 

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