Wilkes-Barre Riverfront Levees and Gates

USACE Baltimore looked to upgrade the Susquehanna River’s existing Flood Protection System by creating two portal structures, which included the installation of moveable floodgates in the existing levee. Construction of plazas and landscaping features, an amphitheater and a fishing terrace to benefit the surrounding communities was also included.

Conti Federal constructed and installed the two large, aluminum gateways to allow foot traffic to the river after improving their design through extensive testing and approved modifications. The team also extended the existing Wilkes-Barre levee by installing a large berm into the river, which was constructed out of a 21,000 ton granular base, 60,000 tons structural fill, 11,000 cubic yards topsoil and 27,000 tons core stone/riprap. Conti Federal also created a park out of the entire one-mile long levee stretch.

Key features of the project include:

• Reconstructed existing levee
• Constructed portal gates, cofferdam, and testing pool
• Installed combination concrete, cast stone, and precast concrete cap
• Constructed river landing, amphitheater, and fishing terrace
• Installed sandstone and cast stone cladding
• Encased existing sheet piles with cast-in-place reinforced concrete
• Drove 900 linear feet of sheet piles

Conti Federal finished the project on schedule and met all specifications, successfully bringing public access to this area of the river for the first time in 60 years.

The team also received strong accolades from USACE Baltimore and Luzerne County for the project’s lasting contribution to the community.