Conti Federal Employs Micro-Resiliency Solution to Floodproof Jersey City Medical Center

Conti Federal’s micro-resiliency solution was critical in reducing costs for the flood resiliency project at Jersey City Medical Center, minimizing disruptions and delivering a high-quality project on time

Conti Federal Infrastructure, LLC, a joint venture between Conti Federal Services, Inc. and Conti Enterprises, Inc., has 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 healthcare institution is safeguarded from future flood events.

In 2012, several New York and New Jersey facilities, including Jersey City Medical Center (JCMC), 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 (FEMA) Hazard Mitigation funding to construct a new flood mitigation system around the hospital to protect it from a 500-year flood event.

The micro-resiliency floodproofing project at JCMC involved construction of 1500-feet of flood walls 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.

Part of the Conti strategy for success was through early stakeholder engagement; team collaboration allowed for the development of a 10-phase implementation plan that would ensure seamless continuity of the trauma center. Conti also 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,” shares Conti Federal Vice President and Project Executive, Pat Hogan. “This micro-resiliency project exemplifies a proactive and cost-effective approach to safeguarding critical assets against the uncertainties of tomorrow.”

Founded in 1906, Conti has more than 100-years of experience in constructing critical infrastructure around the globe, including disaster response and recovery projects that required rapid mobilization after Hurricane Sandy and Hurricane Ike as well as levee construction after Hurricane Katrina.