KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- As the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Kansas City District wrapped up final contract awards for fiscal year 2017, the team took a moment to reflect on a few major accomplishments and how they tie into their missions.
The Civil Works mission is to provide quality, responsive service to the nation and assist with water resource development activities including flood risk management, navigation, recreation and infrastructure and environmental stewardship, including emergency response.
“The work we do is important and provides significant benefit to the taxpayer,” said John Holm, chief of Civil Works branch. “Our district team, in conjunction with diverse stakeholders such as communities, industry and environmental groups, strive to provide high quality and innovative solutions to the water resource challenges we face. We are proud of the successful projects that have resulted from these strong partnerships.”
Some highlights from the Civil Works branch this fiscal year are listed below.
- Dodson Industrial Project (Kansas City); final contract awarded for $13 million to construct 5,500 feet of earthen embankment to tie together previously completed portions of the flood risk reduction project. Anticipated to be completed in 2021, the project will provide 0.2 percent annual chance of exceedance level of flood protection to the Dodson Industrial District.
- Levee system L455 and R471-460 project (St. Joseph); the overall levee system project was fully federally funded this fiscal year in the amount of nearly 42 million. With a combined cost-shared effort with (St. Joseph, Buchanan County) the total estimated cost is nearly $71 million. Beginning in early 2018, construction will commence on the Brown’s Branch gatewell structure at the L455 levee unit.
- Topeka Levee System (Topeka, Kan.); the final construction contract will provide improvements to the levee by adding enlarged berms and floodwall modifications to the existing system. The project is anticipated to be completed in 2020 and will increase the reliability of the levee.
- Emergency Management; a number of contracts were awarded in August and September to repair and restore levees damaged by the 2015 flood events (Ray-Carroll, Reveaux, Howard County No. 6, Lower Chariton and Tebbetts levees). Several Kansas City District personnel have deployed to various locations in support of hurricanes Maria, Irma, Harvey. Several personnel are currently on standby to deploy for long-term recovery support.
- Turkey Creek - the Kansas City District recently awarded a contract worth more than $26.6 million to Radmacher Brothers Excavating of Pleasant Hill, Mo., to decrease flooding near Turkey Creek here in Kansas City to help alleviate some of the high water issues that have been affecting the Southwest Boulevard and 31st street area.
The Military mission is to provide premier engineering, construction, real estate, stability operations, and environmental management products and services for the Army, Air Force, other assigned U.S. Government agencies and foreign governments.
“We have personnel and offices in multiple locations across Kansas and Missouri. We also support military missions overseas,” said Bryan Smith, chief of Military Branch. “Our job is to support the warfighter with quality construction projects, and I feel we do a great job to support our troops in uniform.”
Some highlights from the Military branch this fiscal year are listed below.
- Completion of 16 projects totaling $267 million at McConnell Air Force Base near Wichita, Kan., in preparation of the arrival of the new aerial refueling tanker, KC46-A Pegasus.
- Completed and turned over Irwin Hospital with 555,000 square foot of clinic and hospital space with 44 beds at the Army post, Fort Riley, Kan.
- Completed construction of the Advanced Individual Training Complex II Phase 1 at the Army post Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., and totaling $86 million. This complex boasted a five-story barracks and is the first of its type to be built.
The Environmental cleanup program focuses on reducing risk and protecting human health and the environment in a timely and cost-effective manner. The Kansas City District manages, designs and executes a full range of cleanup and protection activities from coast to coast.
“The Kansas City District oversees projects spanning from the state of Washington to New York. With this large portfolio of work, communication between agencies and the Environmental Protection Agency is a must,” said Scott Young, chief of Environmental Branch. “We are currently working with multiple stakeholders for our projects here in the Heartland. We hold quarterly meetings for different projects to engage with the community on developments and value their input.”
A few highlights from fiscal year 2017 are listed below.
- Over $60 million was awarded in support to the Environmental Protection Agency Region II office in New York with special focus on the Hopewell Project for installation of a new water system and monitoring of existing contamination.
- Continuing clean up at the Sunflower Army Ammunition site in northwest Johnson County, Kansas, with Army Base Realignment and Closure Environmental Restoration Program.
- Monitored the extraction water wells at the Nebraska Ordnance Plant near Mead, Nebraska, and continuing mitigation of contamination plumes.
The Kansas City District is a team of dedicated professionals with a strong heritage and proven results who, in collaboration with our partners, proudly serve in the Heartland providing leadership, technical excellence, and innovative solutions to the nation's most complex problems.
Release no. 17-053