Western Closure Complex

Description

The West Closure Complex is designed to reduce the risk of storm surge for a majority of New Orleans’ West Bank. In event of a disaster so severe, one that has a 1% chance of occurring in any given year, the structure is built to prevent the storm surge from entering the Harvey and Algiers canals. The Corps constructed an unprecedented 20,000 cubic feet per second storm water drainage pumping station, the largest of this type in the nation. The proposed complex features two navigable floodgates with a levee and flood walls. In addition, the project is adjacent to an Environmental Protection Agency wetland area of national significance, keeping construction impacts to the area at a minimum.

Pontchartrain Partners, LLC supported the Corps in working and coordinating with the EPA, Federal and State resource agencies, non-federal partners, the Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority and the Southeast Louisiana Flood Protection Authority-West Bank, as well as numerous other interested stakeholders in developing the best engineering alternatives with the fewest unavoidable environmental impacts. Pontchartrain Partners served the role of both Construction and Project Managers.