The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has awarded to a joint venture formed by Black & Veatch and Stantec a contract to provide design and engineering services for the Brandon Road Interbasin Project (BRIP), a major initiative aimed at safeguarding the Great Lakes from invasive aquatic species.
The contract, valued at $85 million, covers an eight-year period and supports planned modifications to the Brandon Road Lock and Dam, a strategic location connecting the Mississippi River and Great Lakes basins. The site has been identified by authorities as a critical control point for preventing invasive carp from reaching the Great Lakes.
The project forms part of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ broader strategy to limit the movement of invasive aquatic species between major waterways. According to the project plans, the Black & Veatch-Stantec team will lead the design of several infrastructure upgrades, including a new engineered channel, expanded underwater electric and acoustic deterrent systems, improvements along the lock approach walls, and facilities to support the operation of multiple deterrent technologies.
Invasive carp are considered a significant threat to the Great Lakes ecosystem due to their rapid reproduction and feeding behaviour. Their establishment in the region could affect native species, fisheries, and economic activities linked to the lakes in both the United States and Canada.
“This award reflects our longstanding partnership with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and our deep expertise delivering complex water infrastructure that protects critical ecosystems and supports communities and commerce,” said Tom Rose, Federal Agencies segment leader for Black & Veatch.
Chris Williams, senior vice president for Stantec’s U.S. Federal Program, highlighted the environmental focus of the initiative. “Our civil works teams understand protecting natural resources is central to every project we design and deliver,” he said.
