Flatiron Expands Resiliency and Climate Adaptation Market Positioning Adding Projects in Texas and Virginia Valued at $350M

February 1, 2024

Flatiron is building next-generation resiliency protection to help communities brace for impacts of storm surge, sea-level rise and other environmental threats. Resiliency has become a significant market for Flatiron — adding major projects in Virginia and Texas valued at about $350 million to projects already underway in New York and New Jersey. 

These projects are consistent with the Flatiron strategy to build on successful relationships and to secure contracts offering balanced risk profiles and opportunities for enhanced collaboration with clients. 

Virginia Beach, Virginia, resiliency project 

The City of Virginia Beach selected Flatiron, along with subconsultant designer Arcadis, for phase one of a progressive design-build resiliency project. Initially valued at $225 million to $275 million, the initiative seeks to improve stormwater management, protect the fresh water supply and relieve widespread flooding in the neighborhoods of Windsor Woods, Princess Anne Plaza and The Lakes. 

Implementation of the comprehensive flood protection infrastructure program developed by the City of Virginia Beach will protect city assets and meet the needs of the community for generations to come. Especially significant project elements include water storage and drainage improvements through the use of large pump stations, tide gates to minimize tidal impacts and flooding, and flood barriers along with upgrades to the drainage channel. 

The progressive design-build delivery method is ideal for such a complex project. The project team — in collaboration with the City of Virginia Beach and other stakeholders — will work to mitigate project risks and develop a design and construction schedule that is cost effective. 

Port Arthur, Texas, storm surge upgrade project 

The Army Corps of Engineers selected Flatiron for a $102 million project to perform surge protection upgrades to three Port Arthur, Texas, pump stations. Storm protection at area pump stations will better guard this important energy-producing region against the impacts of storm surges and sea level rise. 

The scope of work includes earthen levees, concrete flood wall replacement, levee armoring, replacement of a closure gate and roadway replacement near pump stations. Preliminary work is anticipated to begin in February.  

Flatiron has had other successful partnerships with the Army Corp of Engineers including safety improvements at Lake Isabella Dam in Central California. 

Other resiliency projects underway 

In New Jersey (announced November 2023) — Flatiron’s affiliated company E.E. Cruz is working with the New Jersey Department of Property Management and Construction on a $251 million complex resiliency project. The work is part of the Rebuild by Design – Hudson River Project, overseen by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. 

The resiliency project will use a comprehensive urban stormwater management strategy to address impacts from coastal storm surge flooding and recurring inland rainfall flooding — safeguarding vulnerable communities in highly-developed, urban areas of northern New Jersey. 

Construction will include 9,600 linear feet of reinforced concrete floodwalls, installation of 28 floodgates and landscaping modifications at Harborside Park, which borders the Hudson River. The floodgates and other barrier structures will be incorporated into Harborside Park and the community via seating, lighting, planters and artistic murals — creating aesthetically appealing and highly-functional protection. 

In New York (announced February 2023) — A progressive design-build team comprised of an E.E. Cruz and Turner Construction Company joint venture, along with Arcadis, the Bjark Ingels Group, Scape Landscape Architecture and WSP was selected by the Battery Park City Authority for its North/West Resiliency Project. The project aims to expand and enhance Battery Park City public spaces while creating vital protection for the neighborhood against rising sea levels and increased storm intensity. 

The North/West Battery Park City Resiliency Project is the largest coastal resiliency project developed by Battery Park City Authority and will address the impacts of sea level rise and the risk of storm damage. 

Under a progressive design-build delivery model, the project team will engineer and build flood and seepage barriers along with interior drainage improvements — all the while protecting and enhancing landscapes and parkland in this 92-acre neighborhood on the Hudson River. 

About Flatiron

Flatiron is the trusted partner to deliver innovative solutions to infrastructure challenges across the U.S. and Canada. Flatiron collaborates with public and private clients to deliver heavy civil infrastructure – including highways and bridges; aviation, rail and transit; dams and water treatment facilities; and underground projects. For more on how Flatiron is transforming infrastructure, visit www.flatironcorp.com. Flatiron is a subsidiary of HOCHTIEF, an engineering-led global infrastructure group.

About E.E. Cruz & Co.

E.E. Cruz & Co. Inc. is a Flatiron subsidiary delivering innovative heavy civil construction solutions throughout the New York / New Jersey metropolitan area. E.E. Cruz has grown steadily from a focus on utility and highway projects to completing complex and challenging transportation, infrastructure, deep foundation, bridge and geotechnical resiliency projects.

Media Contact

Mike Swenson
1.720.494.8132
press@flatironcorp.com