Alberici Corporation, one of North America’s leading builders of civil and marine infrastructure, announced on Friday, Nov. 9, that it has completed an asset purchase of Midwest Foundation, a specialized marine construction services company based in Lacon, Illinois. Founded in 1969, Midwest Foundation has been mainstay on the U.S. inland waterway system, performing installation of pile foundations, dredging, rip-rap armor, complex construction, repair, maintenance, and demolition projects on a variety of locks and dams, bridges, terminals, and docks for both public and private clients.
“Midwest Foundation’s nearly 50 years of marine project experience is an ideal fit,” said Alberici Constructors president Greg Hesser. “In addition to their extensive fleet of marine equipment, the company’s talented workforce shares Alberici’s commitment to providing rock-solid reliability for our clients.”
As a part of the Alberici team, Midwest Foundation’s main operations will remain in Lacon and work hand-in-hand with Alberici’s St. Louis-based heavy civil division to provide comprehensive services along the Mississippi, Missouri, Illinois, and Ohio Rivers, as well as other inland waterways throughout the United States. Their addition enhances Alberici’s industry-leading marine and civil construction capabilities while providing Midwest Foundation with financial strength and a depth of corporate resources to better serve its well-established client base.
The new Midwest Foundation will be led by Alberici’s Fred Biermann. A 20-year veteran of the construction industry, Biermann has worked on several major marine projects, including the new Route 47 Missouri River Bridge for the Missouri Department of Transportation and major rehabilitation of Lock & Dam 25 for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Midwest Foundation’s current management and administrative staff will remain with the company, including several experienced staff members who will oversee procurement and management of new projects. Also included in the acquisition is Midwest Foundation’s extensive fleet of marine construction equipment, including 16 barges, one push boat, and a variety of cranes with lifting capacities ranging from 65 tons to 230 tons.
“Midwest Foundation’s established presence in the region will be a tremendous asset as Alberici looks to expand our capabilities providing service to clients along the U.S. inland waterway system,” said Biermann.
Midwest Foundation brings considerable expertise and experience to Alberici, including:
- Construction of river piers and foundations for major bridges, including the Page Avenue Bridge in St. Louis and the Clark Bridge in Alton, Illinois
- Restoration and repair of major lock & dams for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on the Mississippi, Ohio, and Illinois Rivers
- Installation of mooring dolphins at the Smithland Lock & Dam in Smithland, Kentucky and on the Des Plaines River near Chicago for ExxonMobil
- Demolition and removal of multiple bridges, including the Lexington Bridge in Lexington, Missouri, Cape Girardeau Bridge in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, Franklin Street Bridge in Peoria, Illinois, and the Hennepin Bridge in Hennepin, Illinois
- Dredging to improve navigation and environmental improvements for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, including the creation of an island on the Illinois River to reestablish bird and marine habitats
- Land-based pile driving for commercial and industrial businesses, including Bass Pro Shops, Archer Daniels Midland Co. (ADM) and Caterpillar, Inc.
- Improvements to Ameren Illinois power plants along the Illinois River