Link-Belts assist Louisiana flood protection project

Link-Belt Cranes customer, and long-term contractor for flood control projects in Louisiana, B&K Construction, was awarded a $45.5 million contract for storm channel improvements to the Algiers Sub-Basin Plan.

A Link-Belt 228 HSL and 138 HSL drive the sheeting and piling to build the revamped flood protection.

The project is located on the east bank of the Mississippi River in the Algiers neighborhood of New Orleans and has an estimated completion date of fall 2025. A Link-Belt 130-ton 228 HSL and 80-ton 138 HSL drive the sheeting and piling to build the revamped flood protection network for B&K Construction.

B&K Construction must first excavate the area to be able to install 70-foot tall, sheeting with the 138 HSL. Sheeting lines both sides of the eventual canal walls before reinforcement with whalers and 18-inch steel and 49-foot tubular struts. Both cranes sit on timber mats at street level.

Approximately 4,100 feet of an original 25-foot-wide earthen channel will be replaced with a 40-foot wide concrete lined canal. The new canal will also be 5 feet deeper, enhancing drainage by more than 200 percent. The 228 HSL drives 66 feet long, 14-inch square prestressed concrete piling to establish a foundation for the new canal. The canal floor will be 3 feet thick, multi-layer concrete. Each side of the canal will be 5 feet 9 inches high and 18 inches thick.