GKJV-II, a joint venture (JV) consisting of Granite and Kraemer North America, has secured a contract to replace the Lafayette Bascule Bridge in Michigan, US. 

Awarded by the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT), the contract is worth around $113m. 

Funding from the Federal Highway Administration and the MDOT is included in Granite’s second-quarter committed and awarded projects (CAPs) .

The project aims to draw on the JV’s expertise in moveable bridges and marine construction. 

It involves demolishing the existing structure, installing cofferdams, constructing new substructures and bascule piers, erecting structural steel and machinery, and building the bridge house and approach spans.  

Granite Regional Operations vice-president Michael Punches said: “This marks our third bascule bridge project in Bay City, Michigan, and presents the next challenge for our dedicated team that has already achieved success on the first two projects. 

“We are particularly excited to be collaborating with the Michigan Department of Transportation for the first time.  

The exact timeline is unknown and is said to be disclosed shortly. Work is set to commence in late 2024, with completion anticipated by mid-2027. 

In a separate development, Lehman-Roberts, a Granite company, has been subcontracted by Dement Construction Company for an infrastructure upgrade project in Memphis.  

Valued at approximately $21m and also part of Granite’s second-quarter CAPs, the project is for the Tennessee Department of Transportation.

It will be focusing on infrastructure upgrades at the intersection of Interstate 22, State Route 4, and US Route 78 near downtown Memphis. 

The current phase, which is the second phase, includes the addition of lanes and overpasses to alleviate traffic congestion near downtown Memphis.  

This follows the completion of phase-one paving that ran from 2018 to 2023. 

Lehman-Roberts and Memphis Stone and Gravel president Patrick Nelson said: “Lehman-Roberts is excited to contribute to this significant infrastructure upgrade and looks forward to continuing its work in enhancing transportation networks across the region.” 

Lehman-Roberts will produce 178,000 tonnes (t) of hot mix asphalt for the project. 

Memphis Stone & Gravel, also owned by Granite, will supply project materials, including 2,600t of washed sand, 182,000t of clay gravel, and 32,000t of screened gravel from their DeSoto plant.  

The project’s commencement is scheduled for this month, with expected completion by July 2028.