Sacramento Flood Control Project Construction Bid Comes In $70 Million Under Estimated Costs
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, September 24, 2010
CONTACT: MARA LEE
(202) 225-7163
Congresswoman Matsui Applauds Agencies for Staying Within Budget While Helping Region Reach Goal of 200-Year Flood Protection
Today, Congresswoman Doris Matsui (CA-05) applauded the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers contract award for construction on the Joint Federal Project to help build a new auxiliary spillway at Folsom Dam for coming in $70 million under estimated costs. The Corps of Engineers announced today that Granite Construction Company was awarded a contract for $125.9 million to build the control structure for the spillway, which represents the third phase of a five phase project that will make improvements to the dam and reduce Sacramento's risk of flooding. The initial government estimates for this phase of the project had been roughly $200 million.
Today's contract announcement is great news for the people of Sacramento because it confirms that this project is on budget and moving forward, said Congresswoman 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 that will reduce the flood risk for much of Sacramento, providing a 200-year level of protection in a cost-effective manner.
The Joint Federal Project (JFP) is a joint project of the Corps of Engineers and the Bureau of Reclamation working in partnership with the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) and Sacramento Area Flood Control Agency (SAFCA) to reduce the risk of flooding in the Sacramento area and address dam safety concerns. The Bureau of Reclamation oversaw the first two phases of the project, and the third is being managed by the Corps.
In addition to increasing Sacramento's flood control, this construction project will also help offer much-needed job stability within the local construction sector.
The project team and their partners have done a tremendous job, Congresswoman Matsui added, And the region can be proud of their efforts. I am committed to continue working with the Corps of Engineers, the Bureau of Reclamation, DWR, and SAFCA as we move through the next three phases and ensure this project is completed for the people of Sacramento.
Congresswoman Matsui has been instrumental in making Sacramento's flood protection a priority in Congress and securing federal funding for local projects. A long-time champion for Sacramento's flood protection priorities, she knows federal funding is an essential component to reaching our flood protection goals. Last year alone, the Congresswoman secured over $86 million for Sacramento flood protection priorities including $63 million for the JFP.
Sacramento is the most at-risk river city in the country, Matsui stated. We depend upon some one of the most important water projects in America to provide flood protection, drinking water and energy to more than three million people throughout northern California. Without proper protection and levee improvements, a severe storm could cause flooding that would destroy our economy and communities. We must continue to make important progress on our flood protections projects, and today's announcement is an important milestone for our community in doing so.
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