HNTB to manage $375 million Biloxi job

11/19/2008

On Oct. 7, HNTB Corp. of Baton Rouge, La., received a $20.2 million contract to provide program management services for a $375 million infrastructure repair program in Biloxi, Miss.

“Our contract is with the city, which received FEMA funds for Hurricane Katrina damage,” says Scott Forbes, deputy program manager for HNTB. “We are replacing water lines, sanitary/sewer lines, storm drainage and roadways that were damaged by flooding and high winds from Katrina,” Forbes says. “We are also rehabilitating and replacing sewer lift stations.”

The project includes construction/installation of an estimated 485,000 linear ft of water lines, 426,000 linear ft of sanitary/sewer lines, 320,000 linear ft of storm drainage, 48 lift stations and 100 mi of street paving. 

“The project area is spread throughout the city, but the majority of the improvements are along the bay and the Gulf Coast where most of the damage was focused,” Forbes says. “In some of the damaged areas, development has not come back, so replacing this infrastructure will encourage redevelopment.”

He adds that HNTB will act as an extension of the City of Biloxi staff during the 48-month project, coordinating and reviewing design consultants, and coordinating with the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency.

“FEMA brings the money to MEMA, and Biloxi works with MEMA on reimbursement,” Forbes says. “We’ll be coordinating with all those agencies to make sure there is proper documentation, appropriate guidelines are being followed and people are getting reimbursed.”

The City of Biloxi has already issued a request for qualifications for design consultants. Submittals for design are due Dec. 10 and contracts should be awarded by January 2009.   

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