The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Detroit District noncompetitively awarded the project to rehabilitate the upper and lower-level concrete surfaces from a floating-plant (crane barge). Vazquez completed the entire surface restoration work in less than two years, sustaining safe operations, working through marine construction challenges, and extremely variable weather conditions for nearly 20 months.
This pier was established in 1839 and has been operating continuously since the commissioning of the two Lake Michigan lighthouses. The two lights on the south pier, both painted red, are connected by a lighted catwalk that also connects the structures back to the shore and the Boardwalk. The inner light is cylindrical, and the square outer light stands on a huge concrete foundation. The Grand Haven lighthouses host thousands of curious residents, visitors, guests, and fishermen, many can be seen enjoying a stroll along the boardwalk that boarders the Grand River channel and the pier, making the Grand Haven lighthouse one of the most photographed lighthouses in the Midwest.
“This was one of the most impactful and enjoyable civil projects in the history of VCC. Michigan is such a beautiful state, and the lighthouses and pier are such an important feature for the local community. We are extremely grateful the USACE had confidence in our marine construction team. I am proud of the VCC management team for making this project a great success,” said Joe Vazquez, President of Vazquez Commercial Contracting.
