USACE hosts ribbon cutting for Athol Springs’ revetment

The USACE Buffalo District hosted a ceremonial ribbon cutting event and media site tour at the Athol Springs project site, Hamburg, NY, November 9, 2020.

The ceremony celebrated completion of the $8.2 million, 1,325-foot armor stone revetment of the Lake Erie seawall that will protect Route 5 from Lake Erie wave action and spray.

“This stretch of Route 5 was well known to be treacherous during difficult weather due to the unrelenting nature of Lake Erie,” said Congressman Brian Higgins. 

“With federal, state and local coordination, the U.S. Army Corps Buffalo District has delivered another successful project that protects and enhances Western New York’s waterfront and waterways.” 

“Having lived and served as an elected official in the Town of Hamburg, I know firsthand the safety hazards and disruptions that motorists face along Route 5 during inclement weather,” said Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul.

“Completion of the revetment along the Lake Erie Shoreline – thanks to the State Department of Transportation and Army Corps of Engineers – will improve travel conditions along this critical corridor while making sure the community can still enjoy the beauty of Lake Erie. Even in the midst of a global pandemic, New York continues to build back better and more resilient for the future.” 

The revetment provides a 10-foot-wide splash apron, which acts as a buffer between the lake and road.  

Also, it dissipates most of the wave energy so that it does not affect travel conditions. Prior to the revetment, storms would deposit large amounts of debris resulting in unsafe conditions.

Buffalo District awarded the construction contract to Ryba Marine Construction, from Cheboygan, Michigan, in August 2019 and construction began in September 2019.