Hurricane Protection
- Bayou Dupre Sector Gate Control Structure – Reach LPV 144
St. Bernard Parish, Louisiana
the challengeThe Bioengineering Group was contracted by the US Army Corps of Engineers, Hurricane Protection Office (USACE-HPO) to perform all professional services required to complete the design of the sector gate control structure, tie-ins within this project area, pontoon bridge structure, preparation of a Design Documentation Report (DDR), Plans and Specifications (P&S), and construction cost estimates for all measures. These final P&S will be used for the solicitation of bids, contract administration, construction, and inspection.
the interdisciplinary approachAt the Sector Gate Control Structure at Bayou Dupre in St. Bernard Parish, Louisiana, the bayou flows into the MRGO, and the control structure serves as an essential component of the New Orleans Hurricane Protection System in St. Bernard Parish. The control structure ties into the adjacent earthen levees and during a storm event, the sector gates will close to provide protection from storm surge. In order to provide the required level of protection, the levees and sector gate must be raised to EL 31, which is the hydraulic elevation for 2057, plus two feet for structural superiority. The existing sector gate control structure will be demolished and rebuilt in its existing location to expedite the construction schedule, and to minimize environmental and real estate considerations.
the resultsThis project provides 100-year protection to the St. Bernard Parish community. It will include the construction of a new steel sector gate control structure, T-wall tie-ins to the flood control levees that flank the existing structure, scour protection for the transition zones, a mechanical control system for the operation of the sector gates, a generator power supply system to operate the gates and to light the facility, and a pontoon bridge structure to allow vehicular access to the LPV-145 Reach of the HPS. The P&S also includes the design of coffer dams and dewatering systems necessary for the construction of the project.