Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Corporation, a prominent player in the dredging industry, has secured a series of new dredging contracts amounting to $342.3 million. These projects aim to bolster coastal protection, enhance navigational efficiency, and support environmental sustainability across various U.S. locations.
Sabine-Neches Waterway Channel Improvement: Deepening Texas’ Vital Waterway
Overview of the Sabine-Neches Project
The Sabine-Neches Waterway Channel Improvement Project, valued at $219.1 million, is the largest of the awarded contracts. The goal is to deepen the waterway, allowing for larger vessel passage, reducing transportation costs, and boosting the overall safety and efficiency of port operations.
Project Timeline and Funding
This capital improvement project, overseen by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Galveston District, is federally funded, with $16 million in additional options pending. Work is set to begin in mid-2025, with an expected completion date in late 2026.
Canaveral Harbor Sand Bypass Project 5: Protecting Florida’s Coastline
What is the Canaveral Harbor Sand Bypass Project?
The $40.6 million Canaveral Harbor Sand Bypass Project 5 focuses on the maintenance dredging of beach-compatible sand from the designated dredging area. The dredged material will be transported to two beaches located south of the Cape Canaveral south jetty, contributing to coastal protection efforts.
Scheduled Start and Completion Dates
Managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Jacksonville District, this federally funded project will kick off in the first quarter of 2025 and is expected to be completed within the same quarter.
Absecon Island Beach Renourishment: Enhancing New Jersey’s Shoreline
Project Scope and Goals
The $38.2 million Absecon Island Beach Renourishment Project covers the stretch from Brigantine Inlet to Great Egg Harbor Inlet. The plan includes the placement of beachfill material along the Atlantic Ocean coastline, aimed at reinforcing the shore and protecting it against future erosion.
Additional Funding Options and Timeline
An additional $29.2 million in funding options is under consideration for beach renourishment in adjacent areas. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Philadelphia District, will oversee this federally funded project, with work set to start in late 2024 and conclude in early 2025.
Captiva Island Beach Renourishment: Restoring Florida’s Iconic Shore
Project Details and History
This $26.7 million beach renourishment project on Captiva Island will see sand dredged from an offshore borrow area and placed over a five-mile stretch of eroded shoreline. Great Lakes has previously undertaken similar efforts on this beach in 2013 and 2021.
Expected Project Timeline
The project, funded by the Captiva Erosion Prevention District, is scheduled to start in the third quarter of 2025 and wrap up later that year.
Cape Cod Canal and Sandwich Beaches Renourishment: Massachusetts’ Coastal Protection Effort
Purpose and Scope of the Renourishment Project
With a budget of $8.9 million, this project aims to restore beaches along Cape Cod Canal and Sandwich, which have suffered erosion due to storms. The renourishment will help safeguard the area against future coastal damage.
Project Timing and Funding Source
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New England District, is managing this federally funded project, which is set to commence in fall 2024 and conclude in winter 2024.
Brazos Island Harbor Dredging: Maintaining Texas’ Harbor Depths
Details of the Brazos Island Harbor Dredging Project
The $8.8 million Brazos Island Harbor project focuses on maintaining the required depths at the harbor’s entrance and jetty channels. The dredged material will be used beneficially on a nearby beach, promoting coastal protection.
Project Management and Schedule
Overseen by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Galveston District, this maintenance dredging project will receive federal and state funding. It is scheduled to begin and end in the fourth quarter of 2024.
The Significance of Great Lakes’ New Contracts for Coastal Protection and Infrastructure
CEO’s Statement on the Recent Contract Wins
Lasse Petterson, President and CEO of Great Lakes, remarked on the company’s strong position in the 2024 bid market: “This year has presented numerous opportunities for capital and coastal protection projects. The newly awarded contracts significantly boost our backlog, ensuring revenue visibility well into 2026.”
Additional Low Bids and Pending Projects
Petterson further noted that Great Lakes has approximately $350 million in pending low bids and options, including three projects where the company emerged as the lowest bidder. This brings the total potential work pipeline to over $1.5 billion.
Why These Projects Matter: Strengthening U.S. Coastal Infrastructure
Enhancing Coastal Resilience and Navigational Safety
The awarded contracts reflect Great Lakes’ commitment to enhancing the nation’s coastal resilience, improving navigational safety, and supporting sustainable infrastructure development across various states.
Federally and Locally Funded Initiatives
While most of the projects are federally funded through the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, local funding also plays a crucial role, as seen in the Captiva Island project.
Conclusion
Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Corporation continues to solidify its position as a key player in the dredging industry, with a robust portfolio of projects that address coastal protection, waterway improvements, and infrastructure resilience. The company’s strategic efforts to secure significant contracts further its mission to contribute to the long-term sustainability and safety of U.S. coastlines.