DC Water Awards $330M Tunnel Contract For Clean Rivers Project

The District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority (DC Water) Board of Directors has approved the Authority's largest contract to date, for the design and construction of a storage and conveyance tunnel as part of the Clean Rivers Project.

The Clean Rivers Project is a 20-year, $2.6B program to reduce combined-sewer runoff to the Anacostia and Potomac Rivers and Rock Creek by 96 percent. A $330.5M contract awarded by the Authority will cover the design and construction of the first piece: the Blue Plains Tunnel, with excavation to begin in July. The joint venture of Traylor Brothers-Skanska-JayDee (TSJD) delivered the highest-scoring technical proposal and the lowest price.

"The Board's action today starts an economic engine that will affect our area for many years," said DC Water Board Chairman William M. Walker. "The tunnel contract is also the Board's most significant opportunity to date to provide opportunities for minority, local and women-owned contractors. We remain committed to making sure we meet our obligations on that front, and will provide the ongoing oversight a project of this scope demands."

"This contract award means actual shovels in the ground after years of planning," said DC Water General Manager George S. Hawkins. "The Clean Rivers Project will be the single most important step of a generation in improving the District's waterways."

"TJSD is very excited about the Blue Plains tunnel project," said Traylor Brothers Vice President George Williamson. "We have more than 65 years' experience in tunnel design and construction and a tremendous depth in our engineering and management staff. Further, our team is rounded out by some exceptional local professional and construction subcontractors. We are confident in our ability to build an outstanding tunnel at Blue Plains."

For more information, visit http://bit.ly/adropslife or http://www.dcwater.com/cleanrivers.

SOURCE: DC Water