The US Army Corps of Engineers has terminated a key initial contract in its $2.3 billion Global Resilience Project to protect the eastern shore of New York City’s Staten Island borough, accusing its contractor of a lack of progress and a lack of safety.
Awarded to New York City-based Triumph Construction Corp. in October 2024, the $133 million contract included detention basins, culverts, various gates and entrances and the relocation of existing sanitary sewers.
Added to the June termination notice was a videotaped message that claimed not only was Triumph not making adequate progress on its work, its contract gave the company until January 2028 to complete the work, but the company had also experienced safety failures.
In a videotaped statement about the termination posted on YouTube, Brig. Gen. Jesse T. Curry said the company “failed to meet performance standards.
“When a contractor repeatedly fails to adhere to critical safety standards,” Curry said, “to include overturning a drilling rig on an active job site and placing workers in unnecessary harm, we take action.”
Brian Gardner, a lawyer representing Triumph, says the termination is puzzling and that the Corps had mismanaged the project. He said he was preparing legal action on behalf of Triumph, possibly in the Court of Federal Claims.
“Part of the litigation will be that the Corps didn’t have enough experienced people on the job.”
Looking for quick answers on construction and engineering topics?
Try Ask ENR, our new intelligent AI search tool.
Ask ENR →
The project has been highly anticipated on Staten Island by coastal residents and local elected officials. Superstorm Sandy in 2012 caused extensive damage, and the storm barrier and related structures have been a priority for a long time. Other work on the project continues, Curry said in his statement, and a new timeline for completion will be released.
The project remains a top priority for the North Atlantic division, he said.
