Civil Engineering Consultants Work Hand in Hand with the USACE to Serve the City

New Orleans was unprepared for the massive flooding that Hurricane Katrina unleashed in 2005. While the city already had an existing Hurricane and Storm Damage Risk Reduction System (HSDRRS), its pump stations and levees were unable to handle the onslaught of heavy flood. More than 80% of the city was submerged, and a huge portion of this were in residential areas.

Emergency relief and aid were immediately dispatched to NOLA, and thousands of families were relocated and brought to safety. However, even days after the disaster, the issue of effectively managing the flood waters loomed over everyone’s heads.

Task Force Guardian

The US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) launched Task Force Guardian in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Part of their mission is to get the HSDRRS up and running once more, to rid urban areas of damaging flood waters, and to restore NOLA’s infrastructures and make them more resilient against storm damage. Read more from this blog: http://bit.ly/2rHcKSF

Structural Engineering Services Help New Orleans Gear up for a Better Future

While a city’s economy may seem progressive at first glance, such cannot be always be said about the status of its infrastructure. As in the case of New Orleans, a city that has had its share of disasters, majority of its road, water and electrical wire systems are already very old. In fact, the city has one of the most ancient sewerage systems in the country, having been around since the late 1890s.

Structural engineers recognize the need for upgrading, modernizing, and performing rework on large areas of New Orleans and beyond. It should be a constant effort on the part of federal authorities like the Sewerage and Water Board (S&WB) and private firms to plan and implement programs that will make the city more resilient in the face of natural calamities. These projects should keep urban areas and residential sectors flood-free.

Ongoing Developments for Pump Stations

Back in 2009, the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and the S&WB began massive planning to strengthen the many pump stations near Lake Pontchartrain. These major pumping stations are on Orleans Avenue, London Avenue, and 17th Street. Nearly $640 million has been allotted to build pump stations, fortify storm walls and keep the structures above sea level. Most importantly, these efforts include preparing the nearby power plants to generate enough juice to allow the stations to pump hundreds of thousands of gallons of water if need be. The USACE estimates that all stations will be fully operational in time for the 2017 hurricane season. Read more from this blog: http://bit.ly/2sgIRWk

Ongoing Efforts for Road Work and Stormwater Management in New Orleans

In 2005, Hurricane Katrina caused flooding in 80% of New Orleans, covering an area of 90,000 square miles, and accumulating over $81 billion in damage to properties. In fact, it took several weeks and the collective efforts of all agencies involved to completely pump out over 250 billion gallons of water out of the city.

Indeed, water can be a major problem, especially in this flood-prone region. The locals are often on edge and anxious whenever hurricanes strike, as they don’t know how the city can handle the brunt of another disaster. Without stormwater management, massive amounts of water will settle into urban areas, making it impossible for residents to come back to their homes. Plus, excessive water brings forth a host of other major issues. Read more on this article. http://bit.ly/2rl4qHp

Civil Engineering Firms Breathe New Life into Severely Damaged Roads

When Hurricane Katrina submerged more than 80% of New Orleans underwater, it took days for the flooding to recede. Millions of gallons of water remained stagnant in residential areas, making streets virtually impassable and homes uninhabitable. For road work alone, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) agreed to grant the city $2 billion in funding. As rehabilitation is a lengthy process that involves careful planning and implementation, local authorities wasted no time and decided to get the roads fixed.

How Bad Were the Roads?

Due to the massive floodings in recent years, the streets of New Orleans have become weaker and more brittle. Severe water damage along with poor drainage will lead to large road and sidewalk cracks and the dreaded potholes. According to reports, New Orleans’ post-Katrina road repair efforts cost 10 times more than in previous decades. During that time, over 40% of city roads were rated as very poor or in failing condition, and about 25% were poor. Disappointingly, a mere 14% of NOLA streets fared as excellent or good at the least.

With these devastating road conditions, authorities estimate spending around $350 million per year to make them drivable once more. In terms of time, such projects may take anywhere between 10 to 30 years, with additional costs for regular maintenance. Read more from this blog: http://bit.ly/2rDW7Hu

Structural Engineering Firms Play Vital Roles in Housing Programs and Beyond

In 2013, the Housing Authority of New Orleans (HANO) announced that it will be developing more than two dozen new homes in the Florida neighborhood. It can be recalled that in the aftermath of Katrina, residents in these areas had to be relocated. It was only years later that initiatives were done to restore this part of town so it can be livable again.

The project is worth an estimated $13 million, with sources from capital funds and FEMA provisions. With this, the city of New Orleans had called upon structural engineering firms to inspect the sites and facilitate the necessary planning and repairs. A bulk of the work involved demolishing poor structures, setting foundations for better units, as well as ensuring that water, gas and electrical lines are operational. Read more from this blog. http://bit.ly/2pZRFy9

Civil Engineering Companies: Shaping the History of the New Orleans International Airport

The year 1960 brought to life a once humble Moisant Field and renamed it as New Orleans International Airport (MSY). Over the decades, this aviation hub had served as a portal for flights from the Pelican State to many South American countries. It was in 1990 that the New Orleans Aviation Board launched a Strategic Growth Plan (SGP), aimed at making MSY at par with global standards.

What Had Been Done

The Bureau of Governmental Research identified the continuing issues that the airport needed to address, even during the implementation of the SGP. During this decade, the airport is able to operate at the ideal capacity. But with the constant influx of flights towards the New Orleans area, there was a need for improving current structures and expanding facilities further.

The 8-year rehabilitation plan for the New Orleans International Airport needed the expertise of civil engineering companies to draft out plans for bigger cargo areas, more spacious runways, additional concourses, and more modernized arrival and departure terminals. From 1995 to 2003, private firms and civil aviation authorities worked together to breathe new life into this busy hub. It was in 2001 when the city proudly renamed this gem as the Louis Armstrong International Airport. Read more from this blog: http://bit.ly/2sdi0dK