WBRZ - Baton Rouge

NEW ORLEANS - The Army Corps of Engineers has restarted bidding for a $700 million contract to design and build permanent storm surge closure and pump stations on three canals that end in Lake Pontchartrain. Levees on two of them broke after Hurricane Katrina, letting floodwaters into the city.

The projects represent the final major construction of the post-Katrina levee system.

Corps officials tell The Times-Picayune the contract could be awarded this fall, and officials hope to have the projects completed by summer 2016.

Until then, temporary storm surge gates and pump stations will operate during tropical storms and hurricanes.

Last month, a federal court approved the corps' decision to set aside a $675 million contract with CBY Design Builders. Two of five finalists had challenged the contract awarded last year.