Building, Repairing, and Protecting Critical Infrastructure In & Around the Water
Brennan provides specialized marine construction for ports, terminals, bridges, waterfronts, railroads, utilities, and infrastructure owners across inland, coastal, and Great Lakes environments.
Marine Construction Built for Demanding Water-Based Work Est. 1919
Marine construction requires more than building near the water. It requires a contractor that understands access, currents, water levels, navigation, environmental conditions, specialized equipment, stakeholder coordination, and the risks that come with working above and below the waterline.
Brennan has been doing this work since 1919. Founded along the Mississippi River, our company has grown into a national marine construction partner with deep experience across inland waterways, ports, terminals, rivers, lakes, coastal environments, rail corridors, and the Great Lakes.
Whether the project calls for heavy civil construction, underwater inspection, dredging, bridge repair, industrial dock work, shoreline protection, or specialty marine support, Brennan brings the people and equipment to get the work done safely and efficiently.
Specialized Support for Water-Based Infrastructure Marine Construction Services
Brennan provides marine construction services across the full project lifecycle, from planning and access to construction, inspection, rehabilitation, maintenance, and long-term asset protection.
Inland Waterway Infrastructure & Industrial Dock Solutions Barge Terminal & Dock Construction
Brennan builds, repairs, and rehabilitates barge terminals, industrial docks, and inland waterway infrastructure for utilities, ports, manufacturers, terminals, shippers, and industrial facility owners. These structures are critical to moving materials safely and efficiently, and they require a contractor with practical marine construction experience.
We understand the operational demands of active terminals and industrial waterfronts. We plan around vessel traffic, loading requirements, river conditions, safety needs, and facility schedules to deliver durable structures that support long-term performance.
Key Capabilities
- Barge terminal construction
- Industrial dock construction
- Inland waterway infrastructure
- Bulkhead and retaining structures
- Mooring systems
- Dolphins and fender systems
- Pile driving
- Dock repair and rehabilitation
- Marine structure demolition
- Terminal access improvements
- Above-water and below-water repairs
- Work at active industrial sites
Marine Construction for Coastal Terminals, Ports, and Piers Shipping Terminals & Piers
Shipping terminals and piers must stand up to heavy use, vessel impacts, coastal conditions, and tight operational demands. Brennan supports ports, terminal owners, public agencies, and private waterfront operators with construction, repair, rehabilitation, and marine support services for coastal and commercial waterfront infrastructure.
We bring the equipment and experience needed to work in challenging marine environments while helping owners minimize disruption to ongoing operations.
Key Capabilities
- Shipping terminal construction
- Pier construction and rehabilitation
- Port infrastructure improvements
- Pile-supported structures
Fender and mooring systems - Bulkheads and retaining structures
- Marine demolition
- Concrete and steel repairs
- Underwater inspection and support
- Vessel access and marine staging
- Work in active port environments
Functional, Durable, and Community-Focused Waterfront Construction Public Waterfronts & Marinas
Public waterfronts and marinas serve many purposes. They support recreation, tourism, transportation, shoreline access, economic development, and community identity. Brennan helps municipalities, developers, agencies, and marina owners build and improve waterfront spaces that are practical, durable, and built for real-world conditions.
From boardwalks and docks to shoreline structures, marina infrastructure, access improvements, and waterfront rehabilitation, Brennan brings marine construction expertise to projects that must balance public use, environmental conditions, safety, and long-term maintenance.
Key Capabilities
- Public waterfront construction
- Marina construction and improvements
- Boardwalks and access structures
- Floating and fixed docks
Seawalls and shoreline structures - Boat launch improvements
- Pedestrian access improvements
- Utility and infrastructure support
- Waterfront rehabilitation
- Shoreline stabilization
- Construction in active public spaces
Bridge Construction, Repair, Replacement, and Marine Support Bridges
Brennan supports bridge owners, Department of Transportation (DOTs), railroads, engineering firms, and contractors with specialized bridge construction and repair services above and below the waterline. Our crews work on steel, concrete, timber, and masonry structures, providing everything from targeted repairs to full bridge replacements and marine support.
Brennan’s bridge work includes underwater construction and inspection, pier and abutment repairs, scour and erosion remediation, protection systems, demolition, and access support. We are equipped to work in remote locations, active waterways, tight schedules, and challenging site conditions where marine expertise makes the difference. Brennan’s current bridge pages note their broad bridge experience, including DOT support, underwater construction and inspections, pier and abutment repairs, scour remediation, protection systems, demolition, and one of the largest floating equipment fleets in the Midwest.
Key Capabilities
- Bridge construction and replacement
- DOT and railroad bridge support
- Steel, concrete, timber, and masonry structures
- Piers and abutments
- Underwater construction and inspections
- Scour and erosion remediation
- Fender systems and protection cells
- Demolition
- Marine access and barge support
- Remote and difficult-access repairs
- Time-critical infrastructure work
Marine Construction & Environmental Support for Rail Infrastructure Railroads
Rail infrastructure often crosses rivers, wetlands, shorelines, and other difficult-access environments. Brennan supports Class I, regional, and shortline railroads with marine construction, bridge repair, underwater inspection, culvert work, environmental response, and marine support services.
Our crews understand the importance of keeping rail projects moving with minimal disruption to the right of way. Brennan’s railroad bridge experience includes construction and replacements, pier and abutment repairs, scour and erosion remediation, protection systems, demolition, and work on steel, concrete, timber, and wooden railroad structures.
Key Capabilities
- Railroad bridge construction and repair
- Construction and span replacements
- Pier and abutment repairs
- Scour and erosion remediation
- Bridge protection systems
- Bridge demolition
- Culvert support
- Underwater inspections and survey
- Environmental response
- Marine access and support
- Work with Class I, regional, and shortline railroads
Inland Harbor Operations Backed by Marine Construction Expertise Harbor Services
Brennan provides harbor services that support safe, efficient marine operations for utilities, dry bulk terminals, specialty shippers, and industrial customers. With experienced crews, 24-hour dispatch, vessel support, barge handling, repair capabilities, and a strong safety culture, Brennan helps keep cargo and marine operations moving.
Harbor services also complement Brennan’s broader marine construction work by supporting project logistics, barge movement, staging, and operational needs along inland waterways.
Key Capabilities
- Switching and fleeting
- Short-haul towing
- Barge transportation
- Harbor support
- Vessel management
- Barge cleaning
- Shipyard and repair support
- Marine assists
- 24-hour dispatch
Marine Construction for Great Lakes Conditions The Great Lakes
The Great Lakes present unique marine construction challenges, from changing weather and water levels to heavy industrial waterfronts, ports, coastal infrastructure, shoreline exposure, and demanding environmental conditions. Brennan supports clients across the Great Lakes region with marine construction, dredging, diving, terminal work, shoreline protection, and infrastructure repair services.
We bring inland and coastal experience together, allowing Brennan to support complex projects in ports, harbors, industrial waterfronts, public shorelines, and critical infrastructure sites throughout the region.
Key Applications
- Great Lakes marine construction
- Port and harbor infrastructure
- Terminal and dock construction
- Shoreline and coastal structures
- Dredging support
- Underwater inspection and repair
- Marine demolition
- Pile-supported structures
- Industrial waterfront work
- Weather- and water-level-sensitive construction
Dredging Services for Navigation, Construction, and Environmental Needs Dredging
Dredging plays a critical role in maintaining waterways, supporting construction, managing sediment, restoring depth, and improving access for marine operations. Brennan provides dredging services for ports, harbors, terminals, rivers, lakes, industrial sites, and environmental projects.
We understand that dredging is rarely just about removing material. It requires planning around sediment conditions, disposal requirements, water quality, navigation, equipment access, production goals, and environmental protection.
Key Capabilities
- Mechanical dredging
- Hydraulic dredging
- Environmental dredging
- Navigational dredging
- Dredging for marine construction
- Sediment removal and transport
- Debris removal
- Dredged material management
- Water quality controls
- Pre- and post-dredge survey support
Commercial Diving for Marine Construction Projects Dive Construction & Inspections
Brennan’s commercial diving teams support marine construction projects with underwater inspections, construction, repair, maintenance, survey, imaging, and documentation. Our divers help clients understand below-water conditions, verify structural performance, and complete work in places that cannot be accessed from the surface alone.
With a large, fit to dive, ADCI-certified diver staff, Brennan is equipped for complex underwater work in inland waterways, ports, industrial sites, energy facilities, bridges, dams, and near-zero-visibility environments.
Key Capabilities
- Underwater inspections
- Dive construction
- Underwater repair and maintenance
- ROV inspections
- Acoustic imaging
- Hydrographic survey
- Side scan sonar
- Structural condition assessments
- Underwater video and photo documentation
- Near-zero-visibility diving
Protection Systems for Critical Marine Infrastructure Maritime Security Barriers
Brennan provides maritime security barrier systems that help protect critical facilities, bridges, ports, energy assets, and other marine infrastructure from vessel impact, unauthorized access, and waterborne threats.
These systems are especially important for infrastructure located along navigable waterways, where protection must be strong enough to perform in demanding marine conditions while integrating with site operations and security requirements.
Key Applications
- Fixed and floating barrier systems
- Harbor Offshore Barriers™
- Critical infrastructure protection
- Vessel impact protection
- Unauthorized access deterrence
- Bridge and pier protection
- Energy facility protection
- Port and terminal security
- Design and installation support
- Maintenance and repair support
Shoreline, Waterfront, and Infrastructure Solutions Built for Changing Conditions Coastal Resilience
Coastal and shoreline infrastructure must withstand erosion, storms, flooding, changing water levels, and long-term environmental pressure. Brennan supports coastal resilience projects that protect communities, strengthen waterfront assets, and restore natural systems.
By combining marine construction, dredging, environmental restoration, shoreline stabilization, and underwater inspection capabilities, Brennan helps clients plan and build resilient solutions in dynamic waterfront environments.
Key Capabilities
- Shoreline stabilization
- Living shorelines
- Coastal wetland restoration
- Breakwaters and shoreline structures
- Erosion control
- Flood protection support
- Beach and dune restoration support
- Public waterfront resilience
- Habitat improvements
- Marine construction for resilience projects
One Partner for Complex Work Where Land & Water Meet Why Brennan for Marine Construction?
Marine construction projects often involve access challenges, water-level changes, active navigation, underwater conditions, environmental requirements, heavy equipment, and strict schedule demands. Brennan brings the integrated team needed to manage that complexity.
Our marine construction crews, commercial divers, dredging teams, harbor operators, survey teams, and environmental specialists work together to solve problems in the field and deliver practical solutions for critical infrastructure.
What Sets Brennan Apart
- Award-winning safety performance in safety-critical environments
- More than 100 years of experience working in and around the water
- Collaborative, honest delivery with owners, engineers, suppliers, contractors, regulators, and stakeholders
- Specialized marine construction expertise across inland, coastal, and
- Great Lakes environments
Experience with docks, terminals, piers, bridges, railroads, waterfronts, dredging, diving, harbor services, and security barriers - Above-water and below-water construction capabilities under one team
Total Quality Management Across the Organization
- ISO 9001 (Quality Management Systems)
- ISO 14001 (Environmental Management)
- ISO 45001 (Occupational Health and Safety Management)
- ASME NQA-1 (2022), 10 CFR 50 Appendix B, and 10 CFR Part 21
Whether you need to build a barge terminal, repair a bridge, improve a waterfront, support a railroad crossing, dredge a waterway, inspect underwater infrastructure, or strengthen a shoreline, Brennan has the people, equipment, and experience to help complete the work safely and effectively.
What Our Customers Are Saying Client Testimonials
Serving Coastal & Inland Waterways Office Locations
Bring Brennan Into Your Marine Construction Project
Whether you need to build a barge terminal, repair a bridge, improve a waterfront, support a railroad crossing, dredge a waterway, inspect underwater infrastructure, or strengthen a shoreline, Brennan has the people, equipment, and experience to help complete the work safely and effectively.