Balfour Beatty selected for L.A. Department of Public Works $60 million (£47.3 million) Bassett High School Stormwater Capture project

Balfour Beatty’s Civils operations has been selected to deliver the approximately $60 million (£47.3 million) Bassett High School Stormwater Capture project in La Puente, California, US.

In partnership with Los Angeles County Department of Public Works (LA Public Works) and Bassett Unified School District (Bassett USD) the project team will construct an underground infiltration gallery at Bassett High School to improve water quality of waterways in La Puente, West Covina, Baldwin Park and City of Industry, as well as enhance green spaces on site for public use.

Balfour Beatty serves as construction manager at-risk to deliver the project which involves the installation of underground storage and storm drain systems, diversion structures, pump stations and filtration vaults underneath Bassett High School. The project will also feature irrigation systems, water quality monitoring equipment and telemetry tools.

Additionally, the project team will enhance the high school’s athletic fields and construct new educational gardens with drought-resistant plants and trees to provide shade and cooling effects. A portion of the athletic field is proposed to be opened for public use as a new pocket park.

Kelly Phariss, Balfour Beatty US Civils Vice President of West operations said: "We are thrilled to partner with LA County Public Works and the local school district on this important infrastructure project that will enhance sustainability and benefit the community.

"As part of our strategic focus on delivering collaborative projects, our team brings specialised expertise in water treatment systems, stormwater management and landscape design to deliver this project in an environmentally responsible way. By reducing pollutants, reusing water through innovative irrigation, and elevating the landscaping, we're proud to contribute to the long-term health of the San Gabriel River and Walnut Creek areas.”

Projects that combine infrastructure upgrades with environmental stewardship are not only a part of the company’s Civils expertise, but core to Balfour Beatty’s mission of building sustainable communities. The company recently completed the award-winning Sterling Natural Resource Center in San Bernardino, California, which includes similar elements of the Stormwater Capture project’s scope such as park improvements and paving in addition to extensive alternative delivery experience in progressive design building and collaborating with multiple municipalities and regulatory bodies.

Additionally, Balfour Beatty’s Buildings operations is currently delivering Los Angeles County’s San Gabriel Valley Aquatic Center, which will be managed by LA Public Works. Located in La Puente, just 1.5 miles from Bassett High School, the project also includes stormwater capture and conservation measures as well as the construction of a new Olympic-sized pool and recreational facilities. Design operations are underway for the Bassett High School Stormwater Capture project. The project is scheduled for completion in Spring 2029.