Subsequently, the Army Corps of Engineers, in cooperation with other Federal agencies, studies the behavior and frequency of hurricanes to consider possible methods of preventing loss of lives and property. If a barrier had been in place during the storms of 1938 and 1954, it would have saved an estimated $80 million (in 1960s dollars). The proposed barrier would protect three-fourths of the area damaged by these storms. The Fox Point Hurricane Barrier was authorized by the Flood Control Act of 1958. On November 8, 1960, the Rhode Island electorate decided to support the Hurricane Barrier through the issuance of bonds. Soon thereafter, it became the first structure of its type approved for construction in the United States.
How it was built
The design was executed under the direction of the New England Division of the Corps of Engineers. In considering various models, the Corps calculated all potential storm circumstances, the effects of the barrier on the Providence River, and many other contributing factors. The design was implemented under the supervision of William F. Cassidy, the Chief of Engineers of the U.S. Army, and Femi O. Renier, the the Division Engineer in New England of the U.S. Army. Other key officials from the Department of the Army, New England Division, Corps of Engineers who contributed to design implementation included Lieutenant Colonel William H. Kastner, the Acting Deputy Division Engineer, Joseph F. Burke, Executive Assistant, John Wm. Leslie, the Chief of the Engineering Division, John E. Eklund, Chief of the Construction Division, Joseph M. Geoghegan, Chief of the Real Estate Division, Zaven Malkasian, Chief of the Operations Division, Roy S. Martin, the Project Engineer, and Charles F. Sullivan, the Resident and Area Engineer.
Bidding for the work to be done was opened up in mid-February, 1960. Fenton G. Keyes Associates of Rhode Island, assisted by Haley & Aldrich, Inc. of Cambridge, Massachusetts, designed the earth dikes, two street gates, foundations investigations, east and west abutment cofferdams, and utilities. Charles A. Maguire & Associates were responsible for the design of the cooling water canal, barrier non-overflow sections, and a street gate.
