J.F. Shea secures $115.6m Garvey Reservoir rehab deal as MWD expands technical support

J.F. Shea secures $115.6m Garvey Reservoir rehab deal as MWD expands technical supportThe Southern California wholesaler moves forward with critical infrastructure repairs by awarding a nine-figure construction contract and increasing engineering support caps for Arcadis and on-call consultants.

J.F. Shea Construction Inc. awarded $115,611,000 contract for Garvey Reservoir rehabilitation.

Arcadis U.S. Inc. receives $3.2 million contract increase for technical support during construction.

Board authorizes $2 million on-call agreements each for Mott MacDonald, HDR, Butier Engineering, and MARRS Services.

Retiring General Manager notes initial 10 percent State Water Project allocation for 2026.

Golden mussel infestation cited by stakeholders as driver for expediting Pure Water Southern California.

The Board of Directors of the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (MWD) has awarded a $115,611,000 construction contract to J.F. Shea Construction Inc. for the rehabilitation of the Garvey Reservoir facilities. The decision, approved as Item 8-1 during the December 9 joint meeting, follows the certification of the 2024 Environmental Impact Report for the project. J.F. Shea brings a deep portfolio of regional water infrastructure experience to the task, having previously delivered complex projects for the district such as the Lake Matthews outlet towers and pump stations supporting Diamond Valley Lake. The firm’s track record also extends to the Devil’s Canyon Afterbay Reservoir, reinforcing its capabilities in large-scale reservoir work. To support the rehabilitation work, the Board also authorized a $3.2 million increase to an existing agreement with Arcadis U.S. Inc. This adjustment brings Arcadis’s total not-to-exceed contract value to $9.55 million for providing technical support during the construction phase. The Engineering, Operations, and Technology Committee recommended the approval, which passed via a roll call vote. In a broader push to secure construction management resources, the Board approved separate consent items authorizing on-call agreements with Butier Engineering Inc., MARRS Services, Mott MacDonald, and HDR Inc. These agreements are capped at $2 million each for a maximum term of two years to cover construction management and inspection services on capital improvement projects. Furthermore, the Board authorized a $1 million increase to an existing agreement with PMA Consultants for cost estimating and scheduling services, raising their total to $1.249 million. The meeting marked the final session for retiring General Manager Devin Upadhyay, who reported that the Department of Water Resources has announced an initial 10 percent allocation for the State Water Project for 2026. Upadhyay is being succeeded by Shivaji Deshmukh, who has been working with the district during a transition period. While no vote was taken on the Pure Water Southern California program, the project was a subject of public comment. The Executive Officer for the Main San Gabriel Basin Watermaster urged the Board to move the reuse project forward expeditiously, citing a recent shutdown of imported water deliveries caused by the golden mussel infestation at Silverwood Lake, which has impacted replenishment capabilities in the Main San Gabriel Basin.