Granite to update Texas dams

Granite Construction has won a US$ 72 million contract from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to build new outlet structures at the Addicks and Barker Dams in Houston, Texas.

The two earth dams were originally built in 1940s by USACE as part of a flood prevention scheme for the Houston area. Granite’s work on them will see the construction of new intake towers, steel-lined conduits, parabolic chute slabs, stilling basins, cutoff walls and downstream filters, in addition to the grouting and decommissioning of the existing outlet structures in place at both dams. There will also be an additional seepage cutoff wall at Barker Dam.

Construction is scheduled to begin in the fourth quarter of this year. Following completion of the new structures, the temporary cofferdams will be removed and the site restored. Completion of the project is scheduled for May 2019.