December 10, 2025
Strengthening Community and Coastline: The South SF Shoreline Levee Project Wraps Up Construction
Alviso, California. The Maloney-Odin Joint Venture (MOJV) is pleased to announce the completion of the South San Francisco Bay Shoreline Levee Construction Reaches 1-3 Project in Alviso, California. Completion of this nearly 4-year project reduces flood risk for the city of Alviso and parts of North San José while enabling the future restoration of 3,000 acres of tidal wetlands, an essential natural buffer and habitat for endangered species. “This levee is more than infrastructure. It’s a promise to future generations that we are building a safer, more resilient shoreline,” said Valley Water Board Chair Tony Estremera. “This achievement reflects the power of partnership and the dedication of countless
individuals who made this vision a reality.”
Historically, the site of salt harvesting ponds, the ~1.7-mile project included extensive levee degrade and reconstruction, complex environmental compliance, and challenging subsurface conditions. Executed under the direction of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), the $150+ million effort also involved constructing and managing temporary railroad crossing, cofferdams, sheet pile walls, and vital water control structures within a sensitive ecological zone.
Originally two separate contracts, Reach 1 and Reaches 2/3 were ultimately merged, though each had been designed independently by different entities. This introduced distinct challenges as the teams had to coordinate different specifications and methodologies across the separate linear corridors making up each reach. The dual nature of the work added complexity but also demonstrated the team’s flexibility and ability to harmonize divergent scopes.
From a construction standpoint, each reach involved extensive earthwork. Reach 1 required the excavation of approximately 140,000 cubic yards (CY) of material, of which 132,000 CY was unsuitable and disposed of within a specific disposal area in Pond A12. Reconstruction included placement of 225,000 CY of imported levee fill and 35,000 CY of trench fill. For Reaches 2/3, more than 223,000 CY of material was excavated and replaced with 343,000 CY of fill, followed by topsoil and native grass restoration. The degrade was trucked across the live temporary RR crossing and also disposed in designated areas of Pond A12. Reach 1 was a partial degrade and therefore included more instrumentation and piezometric monitoring due to young Bay Mud conditions, while Reaches 2/3 was a full degrade with backfill placed upon more-stable old Bay Mud, reducing the need for settlement control.
Dewatering was a cornerstone of the project’s success. With shallow groundwater, adjacent tidal surface water bodies, and multiple consecutive rainy seasons marked by atmospheric river events, the project demanded the design and installation of two reliable and robust dewatering and treatment systems. Each system incorporated over 100 sumps and pumps, thousands of feet of conveyance pipelines, high-capacity sedimentation tanks, sand and bag filters, and active treatment systems that reduced turbidity to permitted discharge standards through biodegradable flocculant dosing. The systems were engineered to be modular, allowing the flexibility to scale the dewatering and treatment capacity up or down in response to seasonal and annual fluctuations in dewatering demand. Additionally, multiple redundancies, including pumps and generators, were integrated to ensure uninterrupted 24/7 operation over several consecutive years. Thoughtful planning, innovative design, and diligent system operation and maintenance led to sustained compliance with discharge requirements and mitigation of environmental and geotechnical risks posed by flooding of the active work areas throughout the multi-year project.
The integration of structural elements like water control structures and pedestrian boardwalks required precise coordination. A particularly challenging culvert removal and force main installation in Reach a involved deep excavation in tidally influenced ground, calling for dual shoring systems and a redesigned levee alignment.
One of the most complex components of the project was navigating the live railroad line that bisected the site. With trains traveling at speeds up to 79 mph, a temporary crossing was designed and constructed with the explicit approval of the railroad construction flaggers were stationed on both sides to manage truck traffic, while stringent safety protocols were overseen and enforced by a third- party certified railroad flagger who was in direct contact with approaching trains. Over the course of the project, thousands of truckloads of material safely crossed the tracks, which was critical for supporting earthwork operations between the two project zones.
Environmental sensitivity remained a constant consideration. The presence of multiple federally protected species required the team to carefully manage nesting seasons, implement species-specific buffer zones, and adjust schedules based on daily monitoring. While natural deterrents were used to discourage nesting near construction activities, work was periodically paused or buffer zones expanded to ensure full compliance with environmental regulations. In select cases, and with appropriate regulatory approval, certified biologists safely relocated eggs for incubation and later release. Aquatic species were also preserved when cofferdam installation stranded thousands of fish; these were safely herded and captured and returned to open waters by certified personnel under biologist supervision.
The unanticipated discovery of hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) gas during degrade operations required an immediate safety response. MOJV halted work, implemented an H₂S awareness training program, and deployed data loggers and personal gas monitors for all field personnel. This swift and comprehensive response allowed the team to maintain momentum while safeguarding health.
When reflecting on the project, the team cites its zero lost-time incidents, quality construction, and strong relationships with both client and regulatory agencies as key accomplishments. “The project team, with support and guidance from the USACE, successfully navigated the simultaneous construction of two levees located within an active wildlife refuge separated by a live railroad main line. MOJV and our subcontractors collaborated closely with the USACE, multiple stakeholders, and the railroad to ensure the public and wildlife interests were diligently protected, construction activities were executed with precision and quality, and all railroad crossings were completed efficiently and safely. This project was a success on many levels and represents a best-in-class example of Odin’s capabilities,” said Construction Manager Jeff Rankin.
From complex rail crossings and Bay Mud to environmental stewardship and dewatering innovation, the project represents a best-in-class example of civil construction in a highly sensitive environment.
To learn more about this project, visit https://odinenv.com/south-san-francisco-bay-shoreline-levee-construction-reaches-1-3-project/
Odin has an award-winning focus on protection and preservation. Our team is empowered to deliver stability and reliability to communities nationwide through projects in Water Resiliency & Control, Environmental, Capital Infrastructure, Ecosystem Restoration, and Emergency & Disaster Services. Odin has become a communal ally through a commitment to safety, quality, collaboration, and community. For more information, visit www.odinenv.com
About Odin
Odin has an award-winning focus on protection and preservation. Our team is empowered to deliver stability and reliability to communities nationwide through projects in Water Resiliency & Control, Environmental, Capital Infrastructure, Ecosystem Restoration, and Emergency & Disaster Services. Odin has become a communal ally through a commitment to safety, quality, collaboration, and community. For more information, visit www.odinenv.com