Sep. 18, 2009 (PR Newswire) --

PITTSBURGH, Sept. 18 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- L.B. Foster Company (Nasdaq: FSTR) of Pittsburgh, PA has been awarded a $20.5 million contract to supply Gerdau Ameristeel sheet piling to the Panama Canal Authority (ACP) for use in the construction of the Panama Canal Expansion. The successful bidder for the PAC-4 contract opening later this year will install the piling for the excavation of the Pacific Access Channel and the construction of the Borinquen Dam. Gerdau Ameristeel's PS 31 flat steel sheets will be delivered in lengths of 56 ft. to 69 ft. Also, their PZC(TM) 26 Z-type sheet piling will be delivered in 49 ft. lengths.

"ACP is acting independently of the contractor in this purchase to minimize costs and pre-stage the material for a 1Q 2010 start of the PAC-4 construction contract," said Jim Wiehage, Houston/International Sales Manager for the Construction Products Group within L.B. Foster Company. "As with other Gerdau deliveries to international locations, the sophisticated logistics required for the shipment of $20 million of piling from mid-state Virginia and Texas to the middle of Panama are considerable," noted David Maedgen, Gerdau Ameristeel Piling Sales Manager. Gerdau Ameristeel and L.B. Foster teamed to assure the client that the piling will move expeditiously by rail and truck to US ports, by ship to an Atlantic terminal near Colon, Panama and then by trucks to the jobsite. The first delivery is scheduled for October 2009 with 3 additional shipments of equal size completing transit by the end of January 2010.

"L.B. Foster is proud to join with Gerdau Ameristeel to supply construction materials for such a monumental effort and to participate together in this historic project," said Don Foster, Senior Vice President of L.B. Foster's Construction Products Group. The Pacific Access Channel and the Borinquen Dam will be integral parts of the Panama Canal Expansion and provide navigation access to the Gaillard Cut via the new Pacific Post-Panama Locks. The completed canal project will allow ultra-large intermodal ships traveling from Asia to continue by sea to the US East Coast, rather than unloading containers on the West Coast and continuing freight by rail or truck across the United States.

About L.B. Foster Company

L.B. Foster Company supplies transportation, construction, utility, recreation and agriculture markets with the materials necessary to build and maintain North America's infrastructure. The Construction Products Group of L.B. Foster Company markets steel sheet piling, pipe pile, H beams, piling accessories, fabricated bridge products and structural steel nationwide. Website: www.lbfoster.com

About Gerdau Ameristeel

Gerdau Ameristeel is the largest producer of steel sheet piling in North America. Through an integrated network of minimills, steel scrap recycling facilities and downstream operations, Gerdau Ameristeel provides service and products to customers around the world. PZC(TM) is a trademark of Gerdau Ameristeel. Website: www.gerdauameristeel.com

    L.B. Foster Company Sales and Media Contacts:
Jim Wiehage, International Sales Manager, L.B. Foster Construction
Products Group 713.466.2700 jwiehage@lbfosterco.com
Jake Fuellhart, L.B. Foster Company Marketing Communications Manager
412.928.5645 jfuellhart@lbfosterco.com

SOURCE L.B. Foster Company