WSP Water Solutions

Coastal Flood Protection 

Monroe County Road Raising and Stormwater Improvements Monroe County | Monroe County, Florida

Design of a Vertical and Horizontal Facilities at US Coast Guard (USCG) Station Venice USCG Civil Engineering Unit Miami | Venice, Louisiana ■ Facility upgrades for flood mitigation ■ Feasibility and environmental studies ■ Site investigation and survey USCG Station Venice, located in Plaquemines Parish, Louisiane, is a 24/7 military search and rescue facility with maritime law enforcement and homeland security functions. It includes an Aids to Navigation Team and spans 3.5 acres on Tiger Pass’s west bank. The site features a pier, boat house and two multi purpose buildings for operations, administration and living quarters. Frequent flooding (5 to 6 times annually) impacts the lower level, causing up to 8 inches of water and week-long remediation efforts. WSP was tasked by the USCG Civil Engineering Unit Miami to perform site investigations, surveys, testing, design, cost estimating and environmental coordination. Prior work included a drainage study and stormwater modeling. The design addressed vertical and horizontal facility upgrades, flood mitigation via raised bulkheads, berms and flood gates. Final deliverables included 100% construction plans, National Environmental Policy Act documentation and permit applications. Additional efforts covered HVAC and life safety upgrades, sustainable building features, hazardous materials surveys, topographic and geotechnical evaluations, and facility condition assessments.

Resilient Bridgeport Connecticut Department of Housing | Bridgeport, Connecticut

■ Coastal flood defense system construction ■ Stormwater pump station and integrated drainage ■ Green infrastructure and park enhancements Following Superstorm Sandy, WSP led Connecticut’s successful National Disaster Resilience Competition application, securing $54 million to implement a flood protection strategy for Bridgeport. The program includes two projects: the Flood Risk Reduction Project (FRRP) and Rebuild By Design (RBD). FRRP features nearly 2,000 feet of coastal flood defenses, a stormwater pump station, open channel discharge to Bridgeport Harbor and public space enhancements. The final design integrates an earthen berm, sheet pile I-Wall, concrete T-Wall, flood gates and elevated roadways for dry egress. Stormwater modeling informs pump station sizing and integration with municipal drainage to reduce nuisance flooding. The RBD project includes an extension of Johnson Street to provide dry egress to the surrounding neighborhood, and a stormwater park with conveyance to Cedar Creek. The park is designed as a safe public gathering space during dry weather and a storm water basin during rain events to reduce chronic flooding.

■ Roadway elevation and resurfacing ■ Stormwater infrastructure upgrades ■ Climate resilience solutions

This coastal flood protection program was designed to enhance resilience across vulnerable communities in the Florida Keys. The project utilizes transportation and stormwater engineering to elevate critical

roadways and improves drainage infrastructure. Each segment involves

resurfacing, reconstruction and the implementation of gravity and pressurized stormwater systems to mitigate flooding and improve water quality. The initiative also supports Monroe County’s long term adaptation strategy through public outreach, permitting and environmental coordination. Complementary efforts include breakwater restorations and living shoreline installations to protect against storm surge and erosion. The project is funded through state and federal grants, including the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Resilient Florida Program and the US Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery. This program exemplifies a nature-based infrastructure approach to coastal resilience planning.

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