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Cape Lisburne Seawall Reconstruction

Awarded the Cape Lisburne Seawall Reconstruction by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Orion faced arctic challenges in reconstructing a 5,450-linear-foot seawall protecting the only air landing strip. Despite obstacles like quarrying, fuel shortages, marine mammal interference, hazardous materials, and the COVID-19 pandemic, Orion adapted swiftly, achieving substantial completion a month ahead of schedule on this award-winning project.

PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS

  • Reconstruction of a 5,450-linear-foot seawall built in 1972
  • Located at US Air Force Long-Range Radar Site (LRRS) in Cape Lisburne, Alaska
  • Challenging arctic site accessible only by air or sea
  • Required the quarrying of larger rock for construction
  • Addressed fuel shortages and marine mammal interference
  • Included the discovery and handling of hazardous materials (HAZMAT)
  • Adapted to challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic
  • Achieved substantial completion a month ahead of baseline schedule
  • Awarded the Sustainability in Construction Award by The Associated General Contractors of Alaska

Adaptability Amidst Adversities

Orion successfully completed the Cape Lisburne Seawall Reconstruction project. This significant seawall, situated at a remote radar site near Point Hope, serves as a crucial protective barrier for an early warning system dedicated to aerospace surveillance against potential North American threats.

The project, secured through a Government best value proposal process with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, involved the reconstruction of a 5,450-linear-foot seawall erected in 1972 along the Chukchi Sea. Located at the U.S. Air Force Long-Range Radar Site (LRRS) in Cape Lisburne on the Alaskan North Slope, the endeavor faced numerous challenges due to its arctic setting, only accessible by air or sea. Orion's team encountered obstacles such as quarrying larger rock, fuel shortages, interference from marine mammals, the discovery of hazardous materials (HAZMAT), and the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Despite these challenges, our team demonstrated resilience, adapting swiftly to overcome each issue and achieving substantial completion approximately a month ahead of the baseline schedule. The new seawall, designed to withstand a 50-year storm, allows for the continued operation of the area's only air landing strip, providing enduring protection against environmental conditions and logistical complexities in this critical region. Orion was awarded the Sustainability in Construction Award by The Associated General Contractors of Alaska as a testament to our commitment to sustainability.

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