Ribbon cutting marks the completion of Mississippi River boat ramp project

With the Mississippi River as a backdrop, Col. Brian D. Sawser, commander of the Memphis District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, speaks about the Corps' mission and the successful completion of the repair of the New Madrid riverfront boat repair project. The project was authorized under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law of 2022 and was completed on time and within budget, according to Sawser. (Jill Bock/Standard Democrat)

NEW MADRID, Mo. — It was a celebration of completion and of partnerships on New Madrid’s riverfront.

Col. Brian Sawser, commander of the United States Army Corps of Engineers Memphis District, and New Madrid Mayor Kevin Lyons cut the ribbon Dec. 14 to celebrate the reopening of the ramp to public use following a brief ceremony.

Sawser noted following the flood of 1927, the Corps of Engineers of Engineers was tasked through the Flood Control Act of 1928 to maintain the Mississippi River and its tributaries. He said the work done at the boat ramp is part of that.

New Madrid Mayor Kevin Lyons and Col. Brian D. Sawser cut the ribbon officially reopening the New Madrid riverfront boat ramp on Dec. 14. Joining them for the ceremony were city officials, those involved in the construction process and Kevin Mainord with the St. John's Levee and Drainage District. (Jill Bock/Standard Democrat)

According to Sawser, the project is also the first project funded through the 2022 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law that was delivered on time and completed to construction standards.

“This is our promise: on time and on budget,” he said adding his appreciation to all those involved from lawmakers and contractors to the St. John’s Levee and Drainage District and the city of New Madrid.

Lyons also expressed his thanks.

“We appreciate the patience of all our local citizens during this project because we do realize the project took place during probably the worst possible time for this boat ramp because it was during the most used time,” he said. “But it was extremely necessary and they have done a fantastic job.”

Zachary Cook, project manager for the Memphis District U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, also spoke briefly about the work on the boat ramp.

Built over 20 years ago, the original boat ramp was damaged by record floods, periods of low water and the traffic from the many tow boats along the river, Cook said.

According to Cook, repairs consisted of the placement of riprap stone at the end and on both sides of the 300-foot long and 33-feet wide ramp. A combination of filter stone, sand and fill material was used to make a stable base then 12-inch thick cast-in-place and push-in-place concrete slab overlays were constructed over the existing ramp.

Partnering with the Corps on the project was Midwest Construction Co. of Nebraska City, Nebraska, and their subcontractor Luhr Brothers of Columbia, Illinois, for the stone placement with the repair and rehabilitation work by Graylee Construction and Demolition of Ward, Ark. Total cost of the project was $1,970,053.

“This is now one of the nicest ramps, that I am aware of at least in the Memphis District, as far as accessing the Mississippi River,” Cook said.