Oroville Dam Repair Cost Tops $1 Billion
The current estimate for emergency response and reconstruction of the main and emergency spillways is $1.1 billion, with completion of the project expected in 2019.
The California Department of Water Resources reported Sept. 5 that the cost for the Oroville Spillways Emergency Recovery Project, begun after the Oroville Dam was feared in danger of failing and thousands of residents were evacuated temporarily, has reached $1.1 billion.
The agency's construction and cost update said Nov. 1, 2018, is a public safety construction milestone to complete placement of all concrete on the main spillway. Dry finishing, concrete curing, joint sealing, completing sidewall backfill, and site cleanup on the main spillway will continue after Nov. 1, however.
Work continues on an underground transmission line project along Oro Dam Boulevard East between Glen Drive and Canyon Drive. One-way traffic controls are in place from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. and will continue until the project is complete in mid-October.
As work continues to meet the Nov. 1 public safety construction milestone, "DWR has updated its cost estimates," according to its release. "The current estimate for emergency response and reconstruction of the main and emergency spillways is $1.1 billion. Cost estimates are based on actual and projected work and may be adjusted further as work continues through completion of the project in 2019."
It says DWR will continue to submit expenditures to FEMA for reimbursement. To date, FEMA has approved reimbursement of $87.4 million of the $116.5 million submitted by DWR.