The Building Infrastructure, Not Paperwork initiative outlines 27 actions grouped into five categories:  

• Maximizing the ability to deliver national infrastructure 

•  Cutting red tape 

•  Focusing on efficiency 

•  Increasing transparency and accountability 

•  Prioritization 

The plan is intended to sharpen the Corps’ focus on its core civil works missions while minimizing non-core programs. It also seeks to shorten permitting timelines, reduce regulatory requirements and direct funding to priority water resources projects. 

Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works Adam R. Telle said the initiative is designed to enable faster and more cost-effective project delivery. He said the effort will also provide clearer decisions for project sponsors and stakeholders. 

Secretary of the Army Daniel P. Driscoll said the initiative is part of a broader transformation effort within the Army, including improvements to domestic infrastructure programs. 

Within the Great Lakes region, the Detroit District said the initiative could support its navigation mission, including ongoing work at the Soo Locks. 

The district is advancing its Soo Asset Renewal Plan, a rolling five-year strategy to modernize aging infrastructure and reduce the risk of unscheduled outages. Priorities include coordinating with the anticipated 2030 opening of the New Lock at the Soo, completing repairs to the Poe and MacArthur locks, upgrading hydropower systems and modernizing facilities and marine assets. 

Lt. Col. Wallace Bandeff, district commander, said the framework is intended to help complete projects more efficiently and reduce delays while maintaining reliability at the Soo Locks. 

The district also emphasized the importance of maintenance dredging across the Great Lakes navigation system. The Detroit District oversees 81 harbors and three connecting channels and works with industry partners and nonfederal sponsors on dredging projects. 

On Dec. 30, 2025, the district led the award of a Great Lakes Dredging Multiple Award Task Order Contract, or MATOC. The five-year, $180 million shared-capacity contract vehicle is intended to allow Great Lakes districts to execute dredging projects more efficiently and respond more quickly to navigation needs. 

According to the Corps, the Great Lakes Navigation System provides an estimated $3.9 billion in annual transportation savings compared with road or rail alternatives. 

District officials said the new initiative could help improve how navigation and related infrastructure projects are delivered across the region. The changes will not affect the Corps’ emergency response activities related to natural or manmade disasters. 

Feature photo courtesy of U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Detroit District