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The Diversion Board of Authority has launched a Request for Proposals (RFP) to four companies interested in building the Fargo-Moorhead flood prevention PPP project (US).

As we reported in late October, four teams completed evaluations and interviews on the request for qualifications (RFQ) for the P3 project. These were namely: 

• Lake Agassiz Partners (Meridiam/Walsh/AECOM) 
• Red River Valley Partners (Fluor/Plenary/Ames/Barnard) 
• Red River Valley Alliance (Acciona/InfraRed/North American Enterprises/Shikun&Binui) 
• Red River Partners (Graham/Parsons/Alberici/BBGI) 

The contract involves the design, build, financing, operation and maintenance of the diversion channel and associated infrastructure work package (DCAI WP) of the project.

The DCAI WP comprises: a 58 km long and 460 m wide diversion channel, 2 aqueducts, 2 river inlets, various local drainage inlets, the channel outfall, 4 railroad bridges, 4 interstate highway bridges, and 10 county road bridges, as well as associated environmental mitigation and recreational features. The goal is to reduce flood risk associated with a long history of frequent flooding on local streams in the area.

Of the entire project’s estimated US$2.2 billion cost, the winning PPP bidder’s share of the work is worth US$763 million.

The Southern Embankment portion of the FM Area Diversion Project is being constructed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. A construction contract was awarded in November for the inlet structure that serves as the entrance to the Diversion Channel. A groundbreaking is being planned for the spring of 2017.