Cape Coral City Council is expected to move ahead on the removal of the Chiquita Lock Wednesday when it will consider a contract for the work.

Council will consider a contract with Wright Construction Inc. to provide construction manager at risk services for the lock’s removal as well as seawall restoration.

The contract calls for the total guaranteed maximum price of $3,644,038.40 with a city-controlled contingency of $91,100.96, for a total cost of $3,735,139.36.

On March 3, 2023, the city awarded preconstruction services to Wright Construction Group. On Oct. 11, 2023, amendment one was executed to provide geotechnical services, followed by the second amendment on Jan. 26, 2024, to provide a complete seawall design prior to the beginning of construction. The preconstruction current total value for Wright Construction Group is $73,301.72.

The city also is working with AIM Engineering and Surveying, Inc. to maximize the value engineering for the project, so they could “achieve the most cost-effective demolition of the Chiquita Lock and restoration of the seawall.”

The lock, which provides access in and out of the South Spreader Waterway for boats, has had long-term maintenance and boating constriction issues – reasons the city cited as it pursued the water control device’s removal for several years. The city has worked towards obtaining permits from the Florida Department of the Environment and Army Corp of Engineers. The city, as of Aug. 16, obtained the FDEP permit. It is currently seeking the ACOE permit, as both are needed to remove the lock and move forward with the marine improvements.

According to city documents, the removal of all existing utilities, proper containment and removal of all hydraulic fluids, tanks, lines, operations building, and lock gates are part of the scope of work. Other items to be removed include all concrete, earth, and seawall in the north side of the lock’s footprint.

The installation of the new seawall on the north side of the lock will be done prior to the removal of the existing one. The seawall on the south side of the lock will remain, as well as the concrete channel base. There will be oyster reef balls placed once the construction is done.

The City Council meeting will be held at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 4, in City Council chambers, 1015 Cultural Park Blvd. The meeting is open to the public.