Corps Awards 2nd Brandon Road Contract
The Corps of Engineers awarded the second contract for Increment I of the Brandon Road Interbasin Project to JF Brennan Inc., of La Crosse, Wis., on April 11. The $113.8 million contract will complete the remainder of the project’s Increment I.
The award announcement was made by the Detroit Engineer District, to which the $1.15 billion Brandon Road project was transferred from the Rock Island Engineer District by President Donald Trump’s administration in April.
The Brandon Road Interbasin Project is a complex ecosystem restoration project with innovative technological deterrents, designed to prevent invasive carp and other aquatic nuisance species from moving upstream into the Great Lakes while minimizing impacts to Illinois Waterway users. The project will be implemented largely within the downstream approach channel to the Brandon Road Lock and Dam in Joliet, Ill.
The contract is awarded for the leading-edge deterrents, which serve as a first line of defense. These features include an automated barge-clearing deterrent, bubble curtain deterrent, acoustic deterrent, leading-edge support facilities and an upstream boat ramp.
The first award of $15.5 million for Increment I was awarded to Miami Marine Services, partnering with Michels Construction, Inc., of Milwaukee, Wis. It included site prep and channel rock excavation work that was completed in July 2025.
Increment II involves construction of a flushing lock, right descending bank wall and channel rock excavation. Increment III will include an electric deterrent, acoustic deterrent (engineered channel), support facilities building, engineered channel floor and walls and downstream boat ramp.
