Although RBV Contracting was founded in Detroit, Michigan, and lives by the motto “We Dig Detroit,” our expert team is busy working on projects throughout the Midwest, and most recently, in Fort Dodge, Iowa.
The United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Rock Island District hired our team to clear land and install a multi-use trail along the eastern bank of the Des Moines River. This is the second contract that we have had with the Rock Island District, the other being our work on the 88th Armory in Southfield.
(Des Moines River in Fort Dodge, Iowa)
This $3.5 million-dollar project, our largest federal contract to date, will be a big undertaking. The project completion date is not slated until December 2019. With this being our team’s first project west of the Mississippi, we are all very excited to break ground in November. Several members of our team went out to the site in Iowa in September to survey the conditions, meet with local contacts and make preparations for breaking ground.
(Project site along banks of Des Moines River in September 2018)
This project will be managed by John R. Houser, P.E., who actually spent part of his childhood growing up in Muscatine, Iowa, his parents’ hometown.
“Iowa holds a special place in my heart, and I am grateful to be leading this project in Fort Dodge,” said Houser. “The work will not be easy, but I know our team is ready for a challenge.”
For this project, our team’s scope of work includes land clearing, grubbing, construction of a multi-use trail that includes a safety fence, design and construction of MSE walls, and more.
Additional work may include construction of overhead protection structures, parking lot construction, installation of exterior lighting, and installation of pre-engineered mini shelters and concrete vault restrooms.
(Aerial view of Des Moines River and project site)
Field operations for the Fort Dodge project will be headed up by Art Garcia and Noah Johnson, who are both currently finishing up the USACE Detroit District Clinton River Restoration Project in Shelby Township, Michigan this month, prior to heading out west.
“This is a milestone project for the RBV team, as we are finally breaking ground west of the Mississippi” said Jim Foucher, Vice President of RBV Contracting. “Having been able to see the untouched site in September, I am very excited to watch this project unfold over the next year.”
This is a busy fall season for RBV, but we have no plans to slow down. While “We Dig Detroit,” we also dig being able to work on new and exciting projects throughout the country.
Be sure to stay tuned for updates on the Fort Dodge project, along with other exciting developments coming from the RBV team.
