SAN FRANCISCO, CA The Port of San Francisco has selected CH2M, a leading program management firm and provider of global maritime engineering and coastal resiliency services, in partnership with Arcadis, a global design and consultancy firm for natural and built assets, to lead the design and engineering for the 10-year, $40 million Seawall Resiliency Project.

This monumental urban coastline initiative will reduce the seismic and flood vulnerability of San Francisco, California's, 3.5-mile long Embarcadero seawall and associated infrastructure. Once shallow tidelands, the city's waterfront now supports a bustling economic engine, a treasured public space and international destination and home to critical regional and utility infrastructure in need of protection.

"A living-with-water approach that directly integrates water infrastructure into the urban and natural environment is central to the project," said Patrick King, CH2M Global Ports and Maritime Director. "The Port's proactive and innovative strategy for managing the waterfront vulnerabilities will improve safety, resiliency and flood management, while integrating various projects into a comprehensive program designed to meet San Francisco's needs for the next century."

The CH2M team, which includes more than 20 key and local subconsultants, will provide all the requisite planning, coastal modelling, engineering and environmental services. Utilizing a robust, multi-hazard risk analysis approach, the team will work with the Port to develop a prioritized, actionable capital plan for the waterfront to prevent, mitigate or manage storm and sea-level rise induced flooding.

CH2M City Account Manager Summer Bundy said, "The ultimate result will be a unique community waterfront from Fisherman's Wharf down to Mission Creek that preserves and enhances the City's rich maritime history, improves disaster readiness, enhances ecosystem function and maintains San Francisco's position as one of the most vibrant and viable urban landscapes in the world."