Posted on December 10, 2025
MEMPHIS, Tenn. —
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Memphis District continues to deliver innovative infrastructure solutions to the Mid-South region and the nation by reaching historic milestones that will strengthen navigation along the Mississippi River, improve flood protection in the St. Francis Basin, and secure water resources for Arkansas agriculture.
The Memphis District recently accomplished this by:
• Awarding the district’s first-ever Design-Build Multiple Award Task Order Contract for Civil Works projects,
• Awarding the largest contract in district history for an automated mat casting facility, and
• Completing the final phase of the Grand Prairie Project to deliver groundwater for irrigation.
Below are the details surrounding each milestone.
Memphis District awards first-ever design-build MATOC
This contract marks a transformational step forward in how the district delivers critical water resource projects across the region. This new contracting tool strengthens the district’s ability to respond quickly to civil works’ needs, reducing timelines, improving efficiency, and aligning directly with administration and Army priorities to deliver leaner infrastructure projects faster and more effectively.
As part of the base contract awards, the district issued the first task order under the MATOC: the Ditch 9 & 10 Channel Cleanout in the St. Francis Basin. The approximately $6.99 million project was awarded to Donald Bond Construction, Inc. Memphis District Deputy District Engineer Danny Ward highlighted the importance of both the new MATOC and the seed task order, noting the long-term benefit to the region.
“This award demonstrates how modern contracting tools allow us to deliver essential Civil Works projects faster and more efficiently,” Ward said. “The Ditch 9 and 10 Channel Cleanout is a great example of how this new Design-Build MATOC will help us reduce flood risk, improve drainage, and support the communities that depend on the St. Francis Basin. It’s a strong start to a contract that will benefit the region for years to come.”
Located near Trumann, Arkansas, the project will restore more than 23 miles of channels across Ditch 9, Ditch 10, and Straight Slough.
Work includes clearing vegetation, removing shoals, repairing scour areas, placing stone for bank stabilization, and replacing spoil-bank culverts. These improvements will help ensure reliable drainage, reduce flood risk, and strengthen the long-term function of the St. Francis Basin system.
Memphis District awards largest contract in district history for innovative automated mat casting facility
The USACE Memphis District has awarded the largest contract in district history, a $43.9 million design-build contract to Salas O’Brien Federal, LLC, for the construction of the first Automated Mat Casting facility on the Lower Mississippi River.
Located at Richardson Landing, Tennessee (River Mile 769), the facility will directly support the Regional Channel Improvement Sinking Program by providing a fully automated solution to produce articulated concrete mattress (ACM), a key component in bank stabilization efforts used to promote effective alignment of the Mississippi River navigation channel.
This newly cast ACM will be deployed using the new Armor 1 Mat Sinking Unit, which is scheduled to be operational in late 2026. It will be used to protect the Lower Mississippi River’s banks from scouring and erosion, further ensuring continued safe navigation.
This project aligns with the Chief of Engineers’ focus on implementing innovative technologies to address critical engineering challenges. It directly supports the Corps’ mission of maintaining a safe and reliable navigation channel along the Mississippi River, from Cairo, Illinois, to the Gulf of America.
This increased production capacity will be crucial for supporting the Corps’ ongoing revetment mission via the Armor 1 Mat Sinking Unit, ensuring the long-term health of the Lower Mississippi River.
“This is a significant step forward in innovating how we approach channel maintenance and navigation on the Lower Mississippi,” said Regional Channel Improvement Project Manager Zach Cook. “The automated facility will dramatically increase our capacity to produce ACM, allowing us to proactively address erosion and maintain the integrity of this vital waterway.”
The design-build project is expected to be completed within two to three years, resulting in a fully automated concrete casting facility capable of producing 50,000 to 150,000 ACM squares annually.
Memphis District awards contract to complete Grand Prairie Pump Station Inlet Channel
Lastly, the USACE Memphis District awarded a $6 million contract to Vixen, LLC, for completion of the Grand Prairie Pump Station Inlet Channel, marking the final component necessary to fully realize water delivery for the Grand Prairie Project.
Completing the inlet channel is essential to the agricultural community in the Grand Prairie region. With approximately 50,000 acres set to receive water in Phase One, the project will help preserve the region’s agricultural productivity while reducing pressure on the declining Alluvial Aquifer.
The Grand Prairie Project was developed to provide a reliable alternative water source by delivering surface water from the White River to support irrigation needs.
“This project represents the culmination of years of planning and collaboration,” said Project Manager Billy Grantham. “Completing the inlet channel will finally allow us to deliver on the full promise of the Grand Prairie Project, providing critical water resources to the region.”
The inlet channel is approximately 1,825 feet long and 104 feet wide at the bottom. The remaining excavation depth required for the inlet channel is approximately 5 to 15 feet.
The contract will finalize construction of the inlet channel, which was previously designed with construction plans and specifications completed in 2009.
The district is working to complete the project in partnership with the Arkansas Department of Agriculture and the White River Irrigation District (WRID).
For more news about the Memphis District, please visit their website at www.mvm.usace.army.mil.
