MCLEAN.

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MCLEAN CONTRACTING CO.

McLean Contracting Co. says it has developed a reputation

for completing complex projects in innovative ways.

McLean Knows its Marine

McLean Contracting has more than a century’s worth of experience in marine projects. It is currently at work
on a cofferdam cell retention structure for a future dredge disposal site on Baltimore’s Patapsco River.

By Kathryn Jones lifts, pumps, backhoes, hydraulic hammers, loaders, shears,

T he keys to longevity for McLean Contracting Co.

are innovation and adaptation. Founded in 1903 by
Colin McLean, the Glen Burnie, Md.-based contrac-
tor is known for introducing new construction techniques
to heavy and marine projects. This has occurred whenever
“someone saw a possible improvement in efficiency or a
potential competitive edge,” the company says.
For example, William R. Aycock, who was president from
1967 to 1983, designed McLean’s own floating crane, Cape
Fear. The crane was assembled on four barges and equipped
with a 200-foot boom that can lift up to 150 tons at a 55-foot
radius and revolve 360 degrees. A recent
McLean Contracting Co.
www.mcleancont.com addition to its floating fleet is the Cent-
2008 revenues: $70 million+ ennial, which has a capacity of 155 tons
Headquarters: Glen Burnie, Md. at a 50-foot radius.
Employees: Approx. 300
Services: Heavy and marine con- Mclean maintains its own tug boats
struction and push boats, crew boats, work boats
Jeff Phillips, contract manager: and floating cranes, as well as an assort-
“It is [our] responsibility to work
with the owner and help them ment of pile hammers, buckets, air com-
achieve the best possible goal.” pressors, welding machines, trucks, fork-
manlifts, jackboats and generators.
McLean has used its waterfront facility to make its
own prestressed concrete for the Route 90 bridges lead-
ing into Ocean City, Md., and the Seagirt Marine Terminal in
Baltimore. The waterfront facility also has been used for the
replacement of the old steel grate deck spans at the Woodrow
Wilson Bridge bascule span and many other projects, accord-
ing to the firm.
McLean Saves the Day
“McLean has always – and is still today – committed to its
customers, whether public or private, and ready to respond to
their needs on a moment’s notice with all of its resources,” the
company says.
It’s been called to the scene of emergencies for years, such
as in 1972 – when a bridge collapsed over Choptank River
and isolated Denton, Md. – or in 1977 – when the tanker
Marine Floridian hit the Benjamin Harrison Bridge near
Hopewell, Va. It also was called to salvage a tractor-trailer
that went off of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge in 2008.

76 ■ WWW.CONSTRUCTION-TODAY.COM ■ FEBRUARY 2009