The South Florida Water Management District has approved a contract authorizing the start of early construction on the massive Caloosahatchee River (C-43) West Basin Storage Reservoir project.
The work is a precursor for achieving water storage benefits before the entire reservoir is complete.
“ While just the first step in construction of the reservoir, this work is crucial to making tangible improvements in the health of the Caloosahatchee River and Estuary ,” said SFWMD Governing Board Chairman Daniel O’Keefe. “ This is yet another example of the recent progress that is being made on restoration projects throughout our region.”
The $10.8 million contract awarded to Blue Goose Construction, LLC, begins the first phase of work on the reservoir. The contract includes:
The work is the first step for the SFWMD to undertake expediting construction of the facility as part of Governor Rick Scott’s commitment to South Florida ecosystem restoration.
The project as a whole is a joint effort between the District and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers under the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP).