Florida Construction News staff writer
As increasing tropical storm events and rising sea levels caused by significant environmental changes spur waterfront communities to harden their infrastructure assets, Miami-Dade County’s Island Village of Key Biscayne has selected Black & Veatch to develop more resilient, sustainable infrastructure systems.
Leading a multi-functional, multi-year resilient infrastructure program, Black & Veatch will provide the guiding strategy, project development and integration roadmap, program management and construction management services for the infrastructure program that consists of five levels of efforts:
- shoreline protection
- stormwater systems upgrade
- roadway improvements
- utilities resilience and protection
- planning, zoning, and building modifications
“With its focus on designing and constructing infrastructure systems to embrace nature and respect its boundaries – and the goal of investing in and safeguarding Key Biscayne’s way of life for decades to come – the innovative solutions and capabilities we bring will deliver sustainable and resilient outcomes,” Mike Orth, Black & Veatch’s president of governments and environment said in a statement
“Working together and collaborating alongside a talented team to help the Village of Key Biscayne achieve its long-term goals aligns closely with our overall mission of Building a World of Difference.”
The company will work with a custom-built expert, local team that includes Moffat & Nichol and 300 Engineering Group, along with specialized subcontractors such as Brizaga, Waggoner & Ball, and the Water Institute of the Gulf.
The project’s chosen collaborators also have proven experience with coastal storm risk management and the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers’ regulatory programs, as well as a long history of success serving municipalities with program management strategy, planning, and project execution.
“We selected Black & Veatch to help us realize our vision of a more sustainable, resilient village because they share our passion for environmental, social and economic sustainability,” said Steven Williamson, village manager of the Village of Key Biscayne.
“The Black & Veatch team has local elements that truly reflect our commitment to advancing our community and those around us. We look forward to working with such an accomplished and trusted partner to help protect our Village against the threats of climate change and sea level rise as we invest in the longevity and safety of our Island Paradise.”
In February 2022, Black & Veatch helped Miami-Dade County’s Water and Sewer Department (WASD) achieve more than $300 million in capital, operations, and maintenance savings at the county’s wastewater treatment plants under the Ocean Outfall Legislation (OOL) Program.
