Like the mythological phoenix, Bayou Bienvenue has risen from the dregs and burst into life.
The Great Wall is almost 2 miles long and runs across the St. Bernard marsh, blocking the MRGO (Mississippi River Gulf Outlet, or Ship Channel), Bayou Bienvenue and the ICW (Intracoastal Waterway). Gates are under construction at the ICW and Bayou Bienvenue and both are passable, but the MRGO has been decommissioned — it is completely blocked off and no gate of any kind will be installed. The Wall is a gigantic surge barrier to provide St. Bernard Parish, the Lower Ninth Ward and New Orleans East the 100-year storm risk reduction protection promised by the US Government, via the Corps of Engineers. It is a monumental project that includes shoring up and heightening levees and constructing massive lift and swing gates, and is the largest project ever undertaken by the Corps of Engineers in its history.
Highlights:
The Wall stands atop massive pilings driven 100 feet into the earth. Its stabilizing supports are huge pilings driven 200 feet deep.
Two new gates at Bayou Bienvenue: a 56’ wide Liftgate installed at Bayou Bienvenue by the MRGO, and a 56’ wide swing-gate installed in the Great Wall between the MRGO and Lake Borgne.
A 56’ wide Lift Gate installed at Bayou Dupre (Violet Canal). Intermittent openings will be occurring by press time, but Rick Boyett, Public Affairs spokesperson for the Corps, says the gate could also be closed without notice. Completion of the project is now scheduled for July of 2012.
A 95’ Swing Gate installed in the IHNC (Inner Harbor Navigation Canal) that connects the Mississippi River, the ICW, the MRGO and Lake Borgne. Two 50’ non-navigable lift gates will also be installed, one on each side of the swing gate. Once the Gate complex is completed, the barrier across the IHNC at Seabrook will be removed and water access restored. Projected to re-open in July of 2012.
Double 150’ Barge Gates in the Wall in the ICW.
