Tutor Perini Corporation subsidiary, Lunda Construction Company, has been awarded a $60.2 million contract by Domtar Paper Company, LLC to serve as construction manager and general contractor for the Rothschild Dam Modernization Project in Wisconsin.
The overall cost of the project is an estimated $84 million, and Domtar will cover other costs beyond Lunda’s scope of work. The project involves the replacement of the existing timber dam with a new concrete dam with cofferdams to divert the river, deep foundations, reinforced concrete, new control building, prefabricated bridge, and upgraded dam gates.
Construction Timeline and Funding
Work officially began in July 2025, with substantial completion targeted for early 2029. Lunda added the contract value to Tutor Perini’s second-quarter 2025 backlog.
The project received a substantial cash boost with Wisconsin’s latest state budget signed into law by Gov. Tony Evers, with $42 million in repair and modernization. The owner and operator of the dam, Domtar, is investing additional funds. The corporation added that it will invest $100 million over three years at its Rothschild and Nekoosa paper mills.
Community and Economic Significance
The Rothschild Dam, originally contracted in 1912, originally served to power the Rothschild Mill and has remained a vital source for the community for over one hundred years. The plant continues to provide support for nearly 350 mill employees and nearly 1,700 related local jobs, with an estimated $1 billion of economic influence each year statewide.
Domtar and officials paved on August 19, 2025, the start of a project that completely revamps the 276-foot Timber Crib Spillway section of the dam. The section was last replaced in 1964 and has since required approximately $12 million in patchwork updates. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission found that further maintenance alone was insufficient, thus requiring full modernization.
Similar investments in water infrastructure are underway across the U.S., as communities work to modernize aging systems and secure reliable water supplies. The Texas Water Development Board recently approved $880 million in funding for major North Texas Municipal Water District projects, while Granite secured $230 million in contracts to advance the Garnet Valley Wastewater System in Southern Nevada.
Early Construction Work
Construction crews are being mobilized and the installation of two temporary cofferdams will shortly begin. The dry access created by the facilities will be utilized to demolish the current Timber Crib Spillway before constructing the improvement.
The state and local governments emphasized that the spillway improvement will cause the dam to continue to function in flood control, public safety, and reservoir management, while also aiding in economic development and recreational use of the region.
Rothschild Dam Modernization Project: Factsheet
Project Overview
Location: Rothschild, Wisconsin
Client: Domtar Paper Company, LLC
Construction Manager/General Contractor: Lunda Construction Company (Tutor Perini Corporation subsidiary)
Project Type: Dam infrastructure modernization and replacement
Financial Details
Contract Value: $60.2 million (Lunda Construction scope)
Total Project Cost: $84 million (estimated)
State Funding: $42 million (Wisconsin state budget allocation)
Additional Investment: $100 million planned by Domtar across Rothschild and Nekoosa mills (2025-2028)
Timeline
Construction Start: July 2025
Groundbreaking Ceremony: August 19, 2025
Substantial Completion: Early 2029
Project Duration: Approximately 3.5 years
Technical Scope
The project involves complete replacement of the existing timber dam structure with modern infrastructure including:
New concrete dam structure
Cofferdams for river diversion during construction
Deep foundation systems
Reinforced concrete construction
New control building
Prefabricated bridge installation
Upgraded dam gates and operational systems
Replacement of 276-foot Timber Crib Spillway section
Historical Context
Original Commission: 1912 (over 110 years of operation)
Last Major Replacement: 1964 (Timber Crib Spillway section)
Recent Maintenance: $12 million in patchwork repairs
Regulatory Status: Federal Energy Regulatory Commission determined full modernization necessary
Economic Impact
Direct Employment: Nearly 350 employees at Rothschild Mill
Related Local Jobs: Approximately 1,700 positions
Annual Economic Impact: $1 billion statewide
Historical Significance: Originally powered Rothschild Mill; continues as vital community resource
