Corps Awarded $169 Million Panther Island Contract

The contract covers the construction of a northern bypass channel for the Trinity River project in Fort Worth.

Updated on Sept. 24, 2026 in Construction

Isometric editorial illustration of an earth-moving excavator on a riverbank beside a wide, dry construction trench. — The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers awarded a $169 million contract to Walsh Construction Company II LLC for the Trinity River Panther Island bypass project in Fort Worth. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Do you support the ongoing development of the Panther Island flood control project in Fort Worth?

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has awarded a $169 million contract to Walsh Construction Company II LLC for work on Panther Island. The project includes building a northern bypass channel to improve water movement through the area during flood events.

Why it matters

The northern bypass channel is essential for managing flood control by connecting the Clear and West forks of the Trinity River. This infrastructure upgrade aims to mitigate flood risks for the surrounding Fort Worth community.

The awarded contract is valued at $169 million for the construction of a northern bypass channel measuring 3,900 linear feet in length and 300 feet in width at the bottom. This project adds to the three bridges already completed at the site by the Texas Department of Transportation.

The players

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

This federal agency is responsible for investigating, developing, and maintaining the nation's water infrastructure and flood control systems.

Walsh Construction Company II LLC

This firm is a major construction and engineering company that undertakes large-scale infrastructure and commercial projects across the United States.

Texas Department of Transportation

This state agency oversees the planning, construction, and maintenance of the state's extensive public highway and bridge network.

The details

The construction project requires clearing property, environmental remediation, and the relocation of utility lines on Panther Island. Planned features include an earthen levee, concrete floodwalls, a new bridge, ramps, pedestrian promenades, and trail connections.

September 24, 2026: The contract award was officially announced.
October 22, 2026: An open house will be held at the Northside Community Center.
Winter 2026/2027: Construction is expected to begin.
2029: The project is expected to reach completion.

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Market Landscape

This development marks a significant capital injection into the ongoing Panther Island flood control project, a key regional infrastructure initiative. The contract award signals progress in a multi-year effort to reshape the Trinity River corridor and consolidate its flood management capabilities.

Residents should anticipate localized construction activity on Panther Island once work begins, which may impact access to certain trail areas. The project is designed to enhance long-term flood safety for the surrounding community, potentially reducing future flood-related disruption.

The takeaway

The awarding of this contract marks a tangible step toward completing the long-planned infrastructure improvements for the Trinity River. Local residents and stakeholders should track the progress of the bypass channel, as its completion will be vital to the flood protection strategy for the area.