Black & Veatch–Stantec Joint Venture Awarded $85 Million Contract for Brandon Road Ecosystem Protection Project
A joint venture between Black & Veatch and Stantec has been awarded a major contract by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to provide design and engineering support services for the Brandon Road Interbasin Project (BRIP), one of North America’s most significant ecosystem protection initiatives. The project is aimed at preventing the spread of invasive carp into the Great Lakes, safeguarding one of the world’s largest freshwater ecosystems and protecting critical environmental and economic resources across the United States and Canada.
The contract, valued at approximately $85 million, was awarded as a single-award task order agreement and includes an eight-year ordering period. Under the agreement, the Black & Veatch–Stantec joint venture will provide professional engineering, planning, and design services to support modifications to the Brandon Road Lock and Dam, a strategic infrastructure site located between the Mississippi River Basin and the Great Lakes Basin.
The Brandon Road Lock and Dam has long been recognized as a critical control point in efforts to prevent invasive aquatic species from reaching the Great Lakes. Because it serves as a key connection between the two major water systems, experts have identified the location as one of the most effective places to implement physical and technological barriers designed to stop invasive fish migration.
At the center of the project is the challenge posed by invasive carp species, which have become a growing concern for environmental agencies and natural resource managers. Originally introduced into North America decades ago, invasive carp populations have expanded rapidly throughout portions of the Mississippi River watershed. Their continued movement toward the Great Lakes has raised alarms among scientists, fisheries managers, and policymakers.
These species are known for their aggressive feeding behavior and ability to reproduce quickly. By consuming large amounts of plankton and aquatic vegetation, invasive carp compete directly with native fish species for food resources. Their presence can disrupt aquatic ecosystems, alter habitat conditions, and significantly impact biodiversity.
Environmental experts warn that if invasive carp establish large breeding populations within the Great Lakes, the consequences could be severe. Native fish species could face increased competition for resources, potentially leading to declines in population levels and disruptions to aquatic food webs. Such impacts could extend beyond ecological concerns and affect industries that depend on healthy freshwater ecosystems.
The Great Lakes support a multi-billion-dollar economy that includes commercial fishing, recreational angling, tourism, shipping, and waterfront development. Any significant ecological disruption could have long-lasting economic consequences for communities throughout the region, affecting both the United States and Canada.
The Brandon Road Interbasin Project was developed as a comprehensive response to these risks. The initiative forms a key component of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ broader invasive aquatic species management strategy and is intended to create multiple layers of protection capable of preventing invasive carp from advancing farther into the Great Lakes system.
Under the newly awarded contract, Black & Veatch and Stantec will lead the design and engineering efforts for a series of critical infrastructure improvements at the Brandon Road site. The project incorporates advanced technologies and engineered systems that work together to create a robust deterrence network.
Among the primary design elements is the construction of a new engineered channel that will improve water flow management while supporting the integration of multiple invasive species deterrent technologies. The channel is expected to serve as a central component of the facility’s overall prevention strategy.
The project will also include the installation of enhanced underwater electric deterrent systems. These technologies are designed to create controlled electric fields that discourage fish movement through specific sections of the waterway without affecting navigation operations. Such systems have been tested and refined over many years as part of invasive species management programs.
In addition to electric barriers, the design will incorporate expanded acoustic deterrent technologies. These systems use sound frequencies to influence fish behavior and guide movement away from protected areas. By combining multiple deterrent approaches, project planners aim to create overlapping layers of defense that increase overall effectiveness.
Further site improvements will include modifications to the descending bank lines surrounding the lock and dam facility. These enhancements are intended to improve operational efficiency, support long-term infrastructure performance, and facilitate the integration of the project’s various deterrent technologies.
The joint venture will also design new support facilities that will house and maintain the sophisticated multi-deterrent systems required for project operations. These facilities will provide space for monitoring equipment, operational controls, maintenance functions, and other critical support activities necessary for long-term project success.
Leaders from both organizations emphasized the significance of the award and the opportunity to contribute to a project of national environmental importance.
Tom Rose, Federal Agencies Segment Leader for Black & Veatch, noted that the contract reflects the company’s longstanding relationship with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and its extensive experience delivering complex water infrastructure projects. He highlighted the joint venture’s multidisciplinary expertise and ability to support initiatives that generate both environmental and economic benefits over the long term.
Rose emphasized that the project represents a unique opportunity to apply advanced engineering capabilities to a challenge that affects ecosystems, communities, and industries across an entire region.
Stantec leaders also underscored the importance of environmental stewardship within infrastructure development. Chris Williams, Senior Vice President for Stantec’s U.S. Federal Program, stated that protecting natural resources remains a central objective in the planning and execution of civil works projects.
Williams noted that the company is bringing together specialized technical experts from multiple disciplines to support the Corps’ mission of preserving native species and maintaining ecological balance within the Great Lakes region. He added that the project aligns with broader efforts to integrate sustainability and environmental protection into major infrastructure programs.
As the Brandon Road Interbasin Project advances, it is expected to become a cornerstone of regional invasive species prevention efforts. The combination of engineered infrastructure, advanced deterrent technologies, and long-term environmental management strategies is intended to provide a durable defense against invasive carp migration.
Through the collaboration of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Black & Veatch, and Stantec, the project will play a critical role in protecting the ecological health of the Great Lakes, preserving valuable fisheries, supporting regional economies, and ensuring that future generations continue to benefit from one of the world’s most important freshwater resources.
Source Link:https://www.businesswire.com/
