Strengthening a Critical Lake Michigan Harbor

Michigan City Harbor serves as a key access point along Lake Michigan, supporting navigation, recreation, and the local economy. Deterioration of the east pier and detached breakwater had begun to impact structural stability, including the lighthouse at the end of the pier. This project focused on restoring these coastal features to protect the shoreline, maintain safe harbor operations, and extend the life of the harbor for the surrounding community.

Integrated Engineering for a Complex Coastal Environment

Working as part of a joint team under a USACE Chicago District IDIQ contract, our team delivered a comprehensive set of services spanning geotechnical, survey, coastal, and structural engineering. Field efforts included subsurface investigations and laboratory testing, along with detailed survey work such as side-scan imaging, riprap evaluation, and bathymetric mapping. These efforts informed coastal analyses and provided a clear understanding of existing conditions, enabling practical and responsive design solutions.

Durable Solutions to Extend Service Life

Design efforts focused on stabilizing the east pier while preserving the lighthouse. Improvements included sheet pile encapsulation along the end of the pier, placement of structural fill within existing voids, and targeted concrete repairs. At the detached breakwater, new armor stone was placed and existing stone reset to restore its protective function. Throughout the project, our team supported technical reviews and coordinated construction considerations, delivering a resilient, constructible solution that reinforces the harbor and supports long-term performance.