15/09/2026
Soletanche Bachy Acquires Bradshaw Construction in the U.S.
Soletanche Bachy has acquired Bradshaw Construction, a U.S.-based company specializing in microtunneling and underground construction, headquartered in Maryland. This strategic transaction strengthens Soletanche Bachy’s presence in the United States while further expanding one of its key areas of expertise: tunneling.
Founded more than 60 years ago, Bradshaw Construction is headquartered in Eldersburg, Maryland, and operates throughout the eastern United States, from Florida to Maine and from Colorado to Texas. The family-owned company is led by Lester M. Bradshaw Jr. and employs approximately 50 people.
Recognized as one of the leading microtunneling contractors in the United States, Bradshaw Construction was among the pioneers of the industry, completing its first microtunnel project in 1991. Since then, the company has continued to grow and now operates an extensive fleet of equipment capable of covering the full range of diameters required by the North American market.
Bradshaw Construction is an industry leader in hard rock microtunneling. Its roots go back to hand-mined tunneling and now include state-of-the-art segmentally lined and pipe-jacked tunnel construction.
Already firmly established in the United States through its subsidiaries Nicholson Construction, Hub Foundation and Bessac Inc., Soletanche Bachy is further strengthening its local footprint and creating new opportunities for synergies to better serve the U.S. market. The addition of Bradshaw Construction also enhances the Group’s strategic expertise in tunneling, supported internationally by Bessac and Rob Carr.
By joining Soletanche Bachy, Bradshaw Construction will gain access to the technical expertise of a global leader, including equipment design, EXEGY® low-carbon materials, integrated engineering capabilities, research and development resources, and more.
A warm welcome to all Bradshaw Construction teams!
Bradshaw Construction at a Glance
- Founded: 1963
- Revenue: USD 30 million
- Workforce: Approximately 50 employees
- Headquarters: Eldersburg, Maryland
- Experience: More than 50 km of microtunnels completed across more than 450 projects
Bernard Theron, Director of the Tunnels & Major Projects Area at Soletanche Bachy, said:
“Bradshaw Construction shares many of the core values that define Soletanche Bachy: operational excellence, innovation, and a strong safety culture. This acquisition is expected to create value on several levels. It strengthens our local presence, generates operational synergies with Bessac and our other U.S. subsidiaries, and enhances our ability to meet the needs of a strategic and rapidly growing market.”
Lester M. Bradshaw Jr., President of Bradshaw Construction, said:
“Our U.S. customers will be the first beneficiaries of this partnership. They will continue to benefit from our local expertise, now reinforced by the resources of a global industry leader. By joining Soletanche Bachy, we gain access to technologies, R&D capabilities, and an international network that will significantly expand our capacity for innovation.”
Discover recent projects completed by Bradshaw Construction
Oregon Avenue NW Sewer Rehabilitation, Washington, D.C.
Bradshaw built a 1,310 m long collector, including nearly 800 m of 1.5 m microtunneled steel casing to a depth of 27 m. Despite very constrained rights-of-way, the presence of numerous existing networks and the maintenance of traffic, the teams executed the longest microtunneling run in the company’s history – over 569 m – as well as its first curved route. All microtunneling was constructed in hard granitic rock.
Virginia General Assembly Building Pedestrian Tunnel, Richmond, Virginia
Bradshaw built a pedestrian tunnel under 9th Street to connect the building to a new car park. Excavated using the conventional SEM method for the 5 m arch under only 3.7 m of coverage, the structure had to cross sixteen existing networks, including a pipe running through the tunnel vault. Careful control of supports, waterproofing, and settlements made it possible to carry out the work without damaging the surrounding infrastructure.
Russell Creek Reservoir, Dawsonville, Georgia
As part of the increase in the capacity of the Russell Creek reservoir, Bradshaw drilled and blasted a 107 m long, 4.3 m by 3 m arch tunnel through rock to accommodate the main spillway and the raw water transfer pipe. Completed in two and a half months, the work also required the installation of two large-diameter pipes and the creation of a concrete plug to prevent seepage through the dam.
IPL-19 Water Line, Athens, Texas
In Texas, Bradshaw completed two 2.5m diameter microtunnel drives totaling more than 520 m in length for the installation of a large-diameter steel water pipeline. The project involved varying geological conditions, ranging from clayey sands to water-bearing formations, and included tunnelling beneath a heavily trafficked Union Pacific railway corridor.
