Athol Springs: Strengthening Shorelines and Building Communities

Published Aug. 9, 2019

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Buffalo District is excited to announce the awarding of the $8.2 million Athol Springs contract, for the strengthening of the Lake Erie seawall along Route 5, in the Hamlet of Athol Springs, Hamburg, New York.

“Route 5 is a vital link between Buffalo and the Southtowns, trafficking about 40,000 motorists a day. The current state of the seawall has presented a gauntlet of water, ice and debris endangering the community. This project will strengthen the shoreline for the community, as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers together with the New York State Department of Transportation partner to ensure public safety and a more stable shoreline along Lake Erie,” said Lt. Col. Jason Toth, USACE Buffalo District Commander.

Through an enduring partnership between the Corps of Engineers and the New York State Department of Transportation that has lasted over two decades, the team has awarded a construction contract to Morrish Wallace on August 9, 2019 to strengthen the seawall on Lake Erie that protects Route 5. The project is expected to start in October 2019 and continue through the fall of 2020.

The project design includes a 1,325 linear foot armor stone revetment made up of 3-foot diameter boulders to absorb the wave action as it comes in from Lake Erie.  A pedestrian pathway is also planned to run along the top of the revetment, which would stretch long the entire length of the project.

“The current state of the seawall on Route 5 poses as a risk to the all those traveling through southern Erie County.  That is why I am pleased to see that the Athol Springs Shoreline Protection project has finally been awarded and construction should begin soon,” said Congressman Chris Collins. “Special praise should be attributed to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers who have worked hand in hand with my team, as well as other elected officials, to make this project happen.”

In May 2019, the Corps of Engineers and the New York State Department of Transportation signed an amended Project Partnership Agreement for the Athol Springs Shoreline Protection project allowing the project to move forward. This agreement allowed the project to move forward fully-funded by the federal government under the Continuing Authorities Program Section 103 (Hurricane and Storm Damage Reduction).


Contact
Andrew Kornacki
716-879-4349
716-352-8669 (cell)
andrew.a.kornacki@usace.army.mil
1776 Niagara Street

Release no. 19-036