The winning bid: Baton Rouge-based CB&I Federal Services has won a $14.6 million contract to close 27 underground fuel storage tanks at a military tank farm in San Pedro, California. The Associated Press reports the Pentagon’s daily contract list identifies the company as one of four bidders for the contract. It is expected to complete the work at Defense Fuel Support Point San Pedro by March 2019. The work includes disconnecting tanks and associated pipelines and filling them with foamed concrete. The site, which is owned by the Navy, has been used since 1943 to receive, store and distribute diesel and jet fuel for military use in California, Arizona and Nevada. It’s been operated since 1980 by the Defense Logistics Agency. A Navy website says 34 underground and seven aboveground storage tanks are currently in use.
Shifting gears: BMW Motorcycles of Baton Rouge is under new ownership. Jim and Susan Whitehead have taken over as the dealership at 10545A Airline Hwy, BMW Motorrad USA has announced. Jim Whitehead once was a sales manager at Hebert Cycles, the precursor to the current BMW dealership. Susan Whitehead is a CPA and will work with business manager Brandon LaCaze to focus on growing the business through sales of new and pre-owned BMW motorcycles, sales and service of BMW police motorcycles, as well as sales of other pre-owned brands. In addition to the new ownership, the dealership’s 8,800-square-foot retail facility and showroom have been remodeled, according to a press release.
Off the tracks: The April 23 derailment in Lafayette of a train carrying phosphoric acid was the result of a broken brake beam on one of its six rail cars, The Advertiser reports. The derailment is detailed in a report that the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway Co. filed with the Federal Railroad Administration. According to to the newspaper, the report differs slightly from the information law enforcement provided during the time of the derailment, which lead to the evacuation of about 138 homes and at least two businesses. BNSF replied “N/A” to a question on the form that asked if the cars contained hazardous materials and if people were evacuated. Emergency officials ordered the evacuation as precaution since the car carrying phosphoric acid, which is caustic and can cause health problems, was leaning to one side. Read the full story.
