Continued investment in dam rehabilitation projects is driving demand for specialized heavy civil construction as utilities modernize aging infrastructure. Granite has secured an approximately $50 million contract from Pacific Gas and Electric to replace the spillway at Tiger Creek Regulator Dam in Northern California.
The project is part of PG&E's Mokelumne River Hydroelectric Project and involves replacing the existing spillway at the Tiger Creek Regulator Dam, which was originally constructed in 1931.
Granite's scope includes building a new spillway crest structure and chute, installing a temporary cofferdam to enable dry construction, performing excavation and rock anchoring, placing mass and structural concrete, and decommissioning the existing spillway.
Additional work includes construction of a permanent access road to improve long-term maintenance access for the upgraded facility.
Granite previously completed a separate preconstruction contract for the project in 2024, supporting planning and constructability activities.
Construction activities began in May 2026 and are expected to conclude in May 2028.
The upgraded spillway is intended to improve dam safety, enhance operational reliability and meet current engineering and regulatory requirements for hydroelectric infrastructure.
The contract will be reflected in Granite's second-quarter 2026 Capital Allocation Plan (CAP).
Utilities across the United States continue investing in rehabilitation of aging dams and water infrastructure to improve resilience and regulatory compliance. For construction owners and heavy civil contractors, projects such as the Tiger Creek Regulator Dam spillway replacement highlight ongoing opportunities in dam modernization, concrete structures and water resources construction.
Source: Granite Construction.
