Engineering Inc. - September/October 2011 - (Page 4)

News&Notes A ACEC/Louisiana Leaders Soak Up Flood Control Advice From the Netherlands 1953, and then figured out a way to control the North Sea. It was important to see how they’ve done it.” The catastrophic North Sea flood killed 2,000 people and destroyed 800 square miles of agriculture in South Holland. The devastation prompted the Dutch government to construct the Delta Project, a massive flood control system consisting of dams, locks, dikes, levees and storm-surge barriers. “South Louisiana has dealt with coastal-related problems in recent years due to hurricanes and storm surges,” Ledet said. “This was a great opportunity to get some technical insights and new ideas on how to tackle some of those problems.” ACEC/Louisiana members on one of the massive Maeslantkering storm-surge barrier gates that protect the Port of Rotterdam in the Netherlands. From left: Sergio Girau, Linfield, Hunter & Junius; James Ledet, T. Baker Smith; Wm. Clifford Smith, chairman, T. Baker Smith; Michael McGaugh, ABMB Engineers; local facility guide; Ralph Junius, president, Linfield, Hunter & Junius; and Anthony Mumphrey, TMG Consulting. seven-member contingent from ACEC/ Louisiana recently visited the Netherlands seeking insights from a country with a long and storied history of flood control issues. ACEC/Louisiana sponsored the five-day trip in June, which included ACEC/Louisiana Executive Director Daniel Mobley, as well as Wm. Clifford Smith and James Ledet from Member Firm T. Baker Smith. Smith is a member of the Mississippi River Commission, first appointed in 1998 by former President Bill Clinton. “After Katrina, New Orleans was devastated by flood water,” Mobley said. “The Netherlands had a destructive flood itself in Ledet said he was impressed by the Maeslantkering stormsurge barrier in the Nieuwe Waterweg waterway. The barrier, designed to protect the Rotterdam harbor, includes two nearly 700-foot-long, 72-foot-high gates connected to 780-foot-long steel trusses that automatically close when the tide increases to threatening levels. Ledet also noted the number of pumping stations in the small Dutch country. “The Netherlands is about half the size of Louisiana, but has literally thousands of pump stations. We have only about 60 in Lafourche Parish.” The second leg of the trip took Ledet and others to Venice, where they observed strategies for floodgate construction. “They are designing to a higher standard,” Ledet said of his European trip. exponential possibilities. When we partner with clients, the potential is exponential Dedicated to client satisfaction At exp, we provide professional, technical and strategic advisory services to the world’s built and natural environments. We’re dedicated to client satisfaction, and we listen to ﬁnd the solution that best matches your needs, striking a balance between practicality and innovation. We’re proud to provide personal, localized services backed up with global resources. With thousands of knowledgeable professionals in o ces across North America and around the world, exp has the experience and expertise to deliver exponential possibilities to our clients. www.exp.com 1.855.call exp (225.5397) 4 ENGINEERING INC. SEptEmbER / OCtObER 2011 http://www.exp.com http://www.exp.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Engineering Inc. - September/October 2011

Engineering Inc. - September/October 2011
Contents
From ACEC to You
News and Notes
Legislative Action
2011 Fall Conference Preview
Fitting the Pieces Together
Alternate Routes
Building Big
Business Insights
Members in the News
Mergers and Acquisitions

Engineering Inc. - September/October 2011