Conti Federal Infrastructure LLC, a joint venture between Conti Federal Services and Conti Enterprises, said it successfully completed a $36 million contract to floodproof Jersey City Medical Center’s Wilzig Hospital. Construction took place over two years without interruption to the hospital’s operations while ensuring the health care institution is safeguarded from future flood events.
In 2012, several New York and New Jersey facilities, including Jersey City Medical Center, were affected both physically and operationally by the flood waters caused by Hurricane Sandy.
As a result, JCMC was among the recipients of the Federal Emergency Management Agency Hazard Mitigation funding to construct a new flood mitigation system around the hospital to protect it from a 500-year flood event.
The microresiliency floodproofing project at JCMC involved construction of 1,500 feet of floodwalls around the facility, including 500 feet of deployable barriers and 1,000 feet of concrete barriers. The project also included interior reinforced-waterproofed walls, flood gates, doors and glass, temporary access stairs for when flooding occurs, and underground pump stations. This project presented unique challenges because the heavily trafficked urban facility had to remain open and fully operational 24/7 during the construction process.
The Conti team collaboration allowed for the development of a 10-phase implementation plan that would ensure seamless continuity of the trauma center. Conti utilized its proprietary Warrior Lean construction management system to proactively navigate the project’s numerous complexities.
“When disaster strikes, our hospitals are on the front lines. Protecting them is critical,” Conti Federal Vice President and Project Executive Pat Hogan said. “This microresiliency project exemplifies a proactive and cost-effective approach to safeguarding critical assets against the uncertainties of tomorrow.”
