Wave Staff Report
PICO RIVERA — The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Los Angeles District has awarded the construction phase of a contract to Barnard Construction Company, Inc., headquartered in Bozeman, Montana, for the Whittier Narrows Dam Safety project.
The more than $735-million contract enables the Army Corps of Engineer and Barnard to complete construction of critical safety improvements to the 67-year-old dam — a high-risk facility that helps manage flood risk for more than 1 million people and $200 billion in property between the dam and the Pacific Ocean.
The contract is using an innovative method of early contractor involvement that leverages both the Army Corps and Barnard’s expertise to increase efficiency in project design and construction, a key priority for delivering infrastructure projects faster and at a better value to the taxpayer, a statement by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers said.
Significant construction is expected to begin in 2027 and is anticipated to be completed by 2033. The dam will remain fully operational and continue to reduce flood risk during construction. The Army Corps of Engineers is working with surrounding communities to keep them informed and minimize the impacts during construction.
“The Army Civil Work’s ‘Building Infrastructure, Not Paperwork’ change initiatives are driving a laser focus on efficiency by using smarter contracting to get critical projects like the Whittier Narrows Dam repairs built faster and at a better value to the taxpayer,” said Adam Telle, the assistant secretary of the Army for civil works. “This innovative approach will ensure we provide the best solution to protect the Los Angeles communities who will rely on this dam for generations to come.”
The Army Corps of Engineers hosted a town hall meeting April 16 at Pico Park to inform residents about the project. About 60 people showed up.
The construction project will have major impact on the city’s recreational opportunities. The Pico Boys Baseball Organization, which has been playing on the other side of the dam for most of its existence, will have to find a new home. The Pico Rivera Golf Course, at the eastern end of the dam, also will be affected.
The south access road to the Pico Rivera Sports Arena, a major venue for concerts and Mexican rodeos, will have to be closed during the construction, possibly limiting the number of events and size of crowds at arena events.
Rosemead Boulevard, the city’s busiest north-south thoroughfare, will be impacted with the highway being restricted to one lane each way during construction.
In Montebello, which is on the other side of the Rio Hondo River from Pico Rivera, will experience lane closures on Lincoln Boulevard on the extreme eastern boundary of the city.
The Whittier Narrows Dam is a three-mile-long dam designed to hold and release water from the Rio Hondo and San Gabriel rivers. It is located about 11 miles east of downtown, making it the most urban dam operated by the Army Corps of Engineers.
It is near several cities, including Pico Rivera, Montebello, Whittier, South El Monte and El Monte. The Rio Hondo merges with the Los Angeles River in South Gate. The San Gabriel flows through Southeast Los Angeles County to the Pacific Ocean in Long Beach.
