CATEGORY: Special Projects

ENTERING FIRM: Kaskaskia Engineering Group, LLC

OTHER CONSULTANTS: Wang Engineering & Testing, Terracon Consultants, Inc., IMEG CORP

OWNER: USACE-Rock Island District

DESCRIPTION: The BRIP was awarded to KEG through an IDIQ contract to perform geotechnical engineering services for the USACE Rock Island District. A recommended conceptual plan was developed to control the upstream transfer of aquatic nuisance species (ANS) at the Brandon Road Lock and Dam. In addition to deterrents such as electric barriers, other features of the recommended plan include boat ramps upstream and downstream of Brandon Road Lock and Dam to provide needed access to the waterway for monitoring, utility installations to support the project, and buildings and other support facilities on either the right or left banks. KEG’s contract included providing recommended design properties and construction considerations for proposed buildings, retaining walls, embankment fills, utility construction, trenches and tunnels, shallow and deep foundations, temporary excavations, construction dewatering, subsurface drainage, and other features related to the proposed support facilities.

It’s not every day that we can say we had a hand in a project that would save the Great Lakes. Through KEG’s strategic teaming and management, use of advanced technology, and innovation in approach and execution, we were able to complete this important and influential project for our client. Our work has the potential to save $22 Billion in local industry and keep the Great Lakes alive and functioning. The BRIP is recognized nationally for its efforts on the ongoing issue with ANS, and KEG’s data, research, and reporting methodology will be a critical part of that. Our team overcame a wide range of challenges to provide a successful completion, including dealing with unknown and unforgiving terrain, keeping local infrastructure and important waterways functional, and combining new, advanced methods with conventional drilling operations for a more comprehensive and quality report. Our work will be used as a basis for future work on the BRIP, and we are so proud to have had a part in this project.