News.bytes Extra, issue 459

Fort Ord ARRA projects improve emergency access

Infrastructure work at Fort Ord funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act will provide better access for fire suppression and emergency response. (text continues below)

The Bureau of Land Management’s Hollister Field Office received $1.17 million in ARRA funding to repair roads and replace culverts.

“These roads provide primary access to Fort Ord lands for fire suppression and emergency medical response.  Deteriorated road surface conditions are resulting in accelerated surface erosion, and prevent access by emergency equipment during inclement weather and dry weather in loose sandy spots,” said Eric Morgan, BLM Fort Ord Public Lands manager. 

BLM received $483,000 to replace aging masonry culverts. Approximately $450,000 of the funds was awarded within a contract through Federal Highways Division to a small business contractor. Twenty-six existing culverts that were failing were removed, 27 new culverts installed and two new rolling dips installed.

BLM also received $1,282,000 for fuelbreak road repairs. Approximately $770,000 of the funds was awarded within a contract through Federal Highways Division to a small business contractor. Other work was conducted by BLM force account crews. Five temporary employees were hired by BLM for 10 months, including two months at Fort Ord.

More than 24 miles of fuelbreak road were graded, reshaped and graveled.

- David Christy, BLM Central California District, 11/23/10

BLM-California News.bytes, issue 459