From waterways to runways, Tulsa District delivers in fiscal year 2026

TULSA, Okla.— By keeping commerce moving along the McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System, improving infrastructure essential to public safety and strengthening military readiness, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Tulsa District, advanced projects with far-reaching benefits throughout fiscal year 2026.

Through dam safety improvements, repairs to aging infrastructure and completion of key military facilities, Tulsa District employees and their partners reduced risks, sustained navigation and supported the nation’s armed forces within the district’s boundaries and across the nation.

“Behind every one of our projects is a team committed to delivering the mission,” said Col. Jessica Goffena, commander, USACE, Tulsa District. “The work accomplished last fiscal year reflects our ongoing commitment to the nation and the communities we serve.”

The following projects highlight the scope of that work during fiscal year 2026.

Robert S. Kerr Tainter gate repairs

Comprehensive repairs are underway at Robert S. Kerr Lock and Dam, an integral part of the MKARNS. Following the completion of repairs to six gates, the contractor is making major repairs to three of the five gates covered by the current contract. Work on Gate 15 is nearly complete.

MKARNS Tainter valve repairs

The contractor has completed major repairs of four Tainter valves at Newt Graham Lock and Dam and is rehabilitating two Tainter valves at W.D. Mayo Lock and Dam. This contract covers repairs of 12 valves across three lock chambers. Tainter valves control the flow of water in and out of a navigation lock chamber, allowing lock operators to change the water level around a boat or barge.

In coordination with Tulsa District Operations Division, the Navigation Marine Fleet transported valves by barge, staged contractor equipment on lock walls and provided machining support for bushing and pin connections. “These comprehensive repairs reduce structural and operational risk and substantially extend the service life of the structures,” said Rodney Beard, navigation operations project manager, USACE, Tulsa District.

KC-46A three-bay hangar project

The team completed the project on time and turned it over to Tinker Air Force Base on May 4. The facility includes three aircraft hangar docks sized to support KC-46 aircraft maintenance in both nose-in and tail-in configurations while providing required clearances. A central support area houses a metal shop, kitting area, tool room, break room and administrative offices, along with utility, communications and other support spaces.

The facility also includes overhead cranes and fall protection systems to support aircraft maintenance. Once crews complete the 158-acre campus, it will provide eight hangars, ramp infrastructure, software innovation labs and engine test facilities.

Vance Air Force Base runway

A critical element of the work was the drainage system, designed to protect the concrete from moisture buildup that could shorten the pavement’s service life. The team placed a drainage layer beneath the concrete to allow moisture to flow through the underdrain system and away from the pavement, protecting its structural integrity.

The repair contract included overlaying the existing asphalt surfaces and overruns with new asphalt or concrete. The work also included new runway markings, a new runway edge lighting system and a new approach lighting system.

Crews completed the project and returned the runway to Vance Air Force Base for use April 17.

Tenkiller spillway bridge replacement

The bridge spanning Tenkiller Dam was more than seven decades old and had reached the end of its service life. During routine inspections, the bridge safety team identified replacement as the best option for the aging infrastructure. The team is replacing the original steel bridge with a modern concrete structure.

Crews placed the first precast concrete girder on the bridge on March 27, beginning structural work to support the new bridge. In April, the contractor began placing precast concrete deck panels across multiple bridge spans. Crews fabricated the concrete panels off-site, speeding installation and reducing on-site impacts.

“Replacing the spillway bridge has been a major infrastructure modernization effort,” said Raymond Todd, project manager, USACE, Tulsa District. “Work has progressed over an active spillway while the dam continues to provide flood risk reduction and hydropower.”

Prado and Whittier Narrows dams

Beyond its regional boundaries, the Tulsa District is supporting two major dam safety projects in Southern California.

The Tulsa District’s Contracting Division awarded construction contracts March 23 for Prado and Whittier Narrows dams. Both projects are located in densely populated areas and present unacceptable risks to downstream populations. The construction contracts will address identified potential failure modes and reduce those risks to acceptable levels. Prado Dam protects 1.4 million residents and about $200 billion in property, and Whittier Narrows Dam protects more than 1 million residents, 25 municipalities and unincorporated areas, along with $204 billion in development.

The projects are high-priority efforts to reduce dam safety risks, improve flood risk management and protect people and economic development across the greater Los Angeles area.

The Tulsa District is delivering both projects using Integrated Design and Construction, or IDAC, to accelerate safety improvements and improve project delivery. This collaborative approach integrates builder expertise early in the design process to identify engineering opportunities, improve constructability and develop risk mitigation strategies before breaking ground.

“By bridging the gap between design and construction, IDAC promotes efficient delivery of quality projects on time and within budget,” said Brian Hutchison, chief of contracting, USACE, Tulsa District.

Prado Dam has a Dam Safety Action Classification, or DSAC, of 2. This high-urgency rating reflects the potential consequences of dam failure and the need to reduce risk. Construction will address the potential for overtopping and replace the existing emergency spillway to reduce the risk of failure caused by spillway erosion.

The modification project at Prado includes raising the existing spillway crest with a new labyrinth weir and replacing the concrete-lined outflow channel.These improvements will allow the spillway to safely pass the design flows and prevent spillway channel erosion during large storm events.

Whittier Narrows Dam has a DSAC rating of 1, USACE’s most urgent designation, reflecting the potentially severe life-safety and economic consequences of failure.

The project will armor the dam’s downstream slope to protect it from overtopping and improve foundation drainage at the toe of the dam to prevent erosion from seepage. The project also includes two major roadway relocations and more than 50 existing utility relocations.

Together these projects help reduce flood risk for communities, keep good and commerce moving along the nation’s waterways and provide service members with the facilities they need to carry out their missions. Behind each project are Tulsa District employees and partners working to deliver benefits that extend far beyond the construction site.

“These projects represent investments in infrastructure that communities and our military will depend on for decades to come,” said Goffena. “As we look ahead, we will build on this progress, working with our partners to meet ongoing needs and deliver lasting benefits for the people and communities we serve.”

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