Bechtel Advances In Awarding Iraq Rebuild Subcontracts
Officials from the San Francisco-based firm also said progress was continuing in rehabilitating the Umm Qasr seaport, a top priority for relief agencies to bring food and grain into the country. Dredge work was expected to begin May 7. Survey work also continues to allow officials to evaluate current port conditions and determine locations and depths of dredging activities, says Bechtel spokesman Howard N. Menaker. Workers are trying to identify locations of both blocked channels and submerged materials in advance of dredging activities, he adds.
Crews headed by Cliff Mumm, Bechtel's program director, and Terry Valenzano, deputy program director, are also evaluating the physical and mechanical condition of grain elevators located at the port as well as power needs to restart operations.