Coastal / Navigation & Antilles Branch
Antilles Projects & Studies
Portugués Dam
Status
as of December 19, 2008
 Work continues on the removal of overburden material from the aggregate quarry number one and hauling and placing at the right bank disposal embankments. Approximately 300,000 cubic yards removed to date. Embankment keys are also being backfilled to support final side slope toes. The contractor has begun the excavation of the dam foundation at the right abutment area. The prime contractor's (Dragados USA) has moved to the on-site facilities. Government and Contractor material testing facilities are being erected. The laboratory equipment is on-site awaiting completion of the structures. The schedule for completion of both facilities is February 2, 2009. The Corps’ validation process will occur during February 2009. Work continues also on right bank near dam abutment in preparation for RCC concrete plant facility. Plant design, assembling, and testing have been completed in San Antonio, Texas, and preparations in process to ship plant components to the island. RCC conveyor system is on site.
The first blast at aggregate quarry no. 1 of approximately 3,600 cubic yards occurred on December 18, 2008. Additional blasts will be necessary to reach the aggregate-quality rock. A new rock crusher facility has been acquired by the earthwork subcontractor, Construcciones Jose Carro, Inc. Scheduled arrival for the facility in the island is the end of February 2009.
Dragados USA is also working on the design of the cofferdam for diversion and care of water during dam construction. The final site investigations and analyses are in process to complete the design work.
Photo Gallery
History in the making!
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is making history as the Portugués Dam becomes the first single-centered Roller Compacted Concrete thick arch dam constructed by the Corps in the United States and the Caribbean. The Portugués Dam is the final component of the entire Portugués and Bucana flood risk management project (P&B) in Ponce, Puerto Rico.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers awarded a $180 million contract to Dragados USA Inc. to build the Portugués Dam. Construction is scheduled for completion by 2012. Upon completion, Ponce residents will have much needed flood risk management during the intense rainy season. The overall cost of the Portugués Dam is estimated at $375 million.
When all work is complete, the overall total investment in the P&B project will have reached over $715 million, with 75 percent federal funding and 25 percent funding from the government of Puerto Rico through the local sponsor, the Puerto Rico Department of Natural and Environmental Resources.
Portugués Dam Milestones
- 3 April 2008 — Notice to Proceed
- 14 March 2008 — Contract Award
- 15 February 2008 — Solicitation Due
- 19 September 2007 — Pre-Proposal Conference
- 31 August 2007 — Advertisement
- 12 July 2007 — Industry Day
Portugués Dam Additional Information
News Releases
Brochure
Presentations
Video
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