WORK ON LAST STAGES OF KISSIMMEE RIVER RESTORATION PROJECT CONTINUES

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Jacksonville District awarded one of the three remaining construction contracts for the Kissimmee River Restoration Project a massive Everglades restoration project in Okeechobee and Highlands counties.

The $26.13 million Reach 2 Backfill construction contract was awarded to J.E. McAmis on August 5. The contract involves backfilling approximately seven miles of the channelized C-38 Canal. Completion of this work will enable water to flow into the meandering oxbows that have been excavated under previous contracts to re-store the natural flow of the Kissimmee River.

Backfilling operation began this fall and will take approximately 27 months to complete.

“With only two construction contracts remaining we are definitely nearing the finish line for the Kissimmee River Restoration Project” said April Patterson U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Jacksonville District project manager. “What we have been able to accomplish in our restoration of the Kissimmee River is truly spectacular. In addition to the significant ecological improvements this project will provide restoration of the historic river will also slow the movement of water and increase the time it takes for it to get to Lake Okeechobee helping to slow down the rise in the lake.”

To date the Corps has completed 25 construction contracts as part of the Kissimmee River Restoration project and has two contracts ongoing. With the award of the Reach 2 Backfill contract only two construction contracts re-main for the project.