News From South Carolina

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announces contracts in Battery Extension project

South Carolina Public Radio | By Kristina Thacker

Published September 30, 2026 at 12:37 PM EDT

Derek Thorn, a geographer with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Charleston District, conducts topographic surveys near Brittlebank Park and the Ashley River bridges on the westside of downtown Charleston, South Carolina, Sept. 11, 2026, to determine precision elevation markers for the planned perimeter storm surge barrier. The Charleston Peninsula Coastal Storm Risk Management project kicked off in 2018 to reduce storm surge risks, protect vital transportation corridors, and bolster long-term coastal resilience across the low-lying peninsula with an engineered 10-foot NAVD88 barrier alignment. (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers photo by Dylan Burnell)

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers said it awarded two major architecture and engineering contracts totaling over $6.2 million for the Battery Extension project.

The contractions were presented to the Stantec-JMT Joint Venture of North Charleston.

"Awarding these two contracts represents substantial forward momentum across both waterfronts of the peninsula," said Wes Wilson, project manager of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Charleston District. "We are moving from high-level studies into active, on-the-ground engineering. Our team is committed to keeping this momentum going alongside our partners at the city of Charleston, ensuring we deliver dependable coastal resilience projects that respect the rich history, architecture and daily life of our community."

The funding splits into two categories:

Adger’s Wharf Segment: A $2.91 million contract was issued on Aug. 26 to finalize a 35% concept design for this historic waterfront section.
Lockwood Drive & Ashley River Segment: A $3.31 million contract followed on Sept. 22 to develop an initial 10% design layout for the western side of the peninsula.

People in both areas may notice fieldwork including surveys, utility designations and land- and water-based soil borings.