By: Contech Engineered Solutions
Summary
When a deteriorating brick tunnel threatened Buckingham Creek, the City of Duluth chose rehabilitation over replacement. This culvert rehabilitation project preserved the historic structure, supported a larger trout stream restoration effort, and earned the 2026 NCSPA Rehabilitation Project of the Year Award.
A Trout Stream Worth Protecting
Some projects fix infrastructure. Others restore an entire environment.
The Buckingham Creek culvert rehabilitation project, winner of the 2026 NCSPA Rehabilitation Project of the Year Award, began with an ambitious goal. Buckingham Creek flows through Enger Park Golf Course in Duluth, Minnesota, and holds an important distinction. It is the coldest of the city’s sixteen trout streams. Therefore, when the City of Duluth planned irrigation upgrades for the golf course, leaders saw an opportunity to do more than replace aging infrastructure. Instead, they partnered with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and local agencies to improve the health of the stream itself.
The larger restoration effort reshaped nearly 9,800 feet of stream channel throughout the golf course. Previously, Buckingham Creek had been rerouted during construction in the 1980s. Unfortunately, that route pushed water through an artificial ditch and around ponds that introduced warmer temperatures into the stream. As a result, trout habitat suffered. Crews corrected the issue by rerouting the creek and replacing perched culverts that blocked fish migration with bridges designed to restore natural passage. Consequently, both the stream and surrounding landscape benefited.
Projects like Buckingham Creek demonstrate why durable drainage infrastructure matters. Learn more about the long-term benefits of corrugated steel pipe on the Why Choose Steel? page. Communities focused on stream restoration and resilient infrastructure can also explore solutions from Contech Engineered Solutions.
A Hidden Problem Beneath the Creek
Just when the restoration seemed to be taking shape, crews uncovered another challenge.
A historic brick arch culvert beneath Buckingham Creek showed signs of serious deterioration. Suddenly, city leaders faced an important decision. Replace the aging tunnel completely or find a way to preserve it.
Although replacement remained an option, the city wanted to protect the culvert’s historical character. Equally important, officials hoped to avoid disturbing one of Duluth’s most sensitive trout streams. Therefore, rehabilitation quickly emerged as the clear choice. Rather than tear out the existing structure, the project team focused on strengthening what was already there.
That decision aligned perfectly with the larger restoration effort. After all, a project centered on ecological improvement deserved a solution that minimized environmental disruption. As a result, the culvert rehabilitation project protected both local history and stream health.
Corrugated Steel Pipe Helps Preserve History
To rehabilitate the deteriorating tunnel, engineers selected a half-round corrugated steel pipe (CSP) solution. The 42-inch-span corrugated steel arch relined approximately 71 feet of the existing brick structure. More importantly, the approach reduced excavation and protected the surrounding creek corridor. Instead of removing the historic tunnel, crews reinforced it from within.
Installation also moved efficiently. Crews assembled the corrugated steel arch in the field by bolting sections together. Additionally, grout plugs at the crown simplified the back-grouting process during installation. The pipe was customized to better fit construction needs, which helped streamline installation and reduce costs. Consequently, the team delivered a fully structural solution while keeping disruption to a minimum.
Want to explore additional engineering guidance for rehabilitation and long-term service life? Visit the NCSPA’s Technical Resources page for design resources, research, and technical information.
Restoring More Than Infrastructure
Ultimately, this culvert rehabilitation project delivered much more than a structural repair. The finished solution preserved the historic appearance of the original brick culvert while supporting a broader environmental mission. At the same time, Buckingham Creek gained healthier trout habitat, improved fish passage, and renewed natural beauty throughout Enger Park Golf Course.
Buckingham Creek proves that infrastructure projects do not have to choose between performance and preservation. Sometimes, the best solution protects history, strengthens infrastructure, and improves the environment all at once.
Interested in more award-winning steel drainage projects? Explore the NCSPA’s interactive Project Spotlights Map to discover innovative projects from across North America.
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