We are geotechnical engineering and construction problem solvers and solution providers.

We’ve been solving geotechnical construction and engineering problems and providing high-quality solutions for our clients and partners across the country for more than 65 years. We’re proud to be using our expertise to build the foundations of America’s infrastructure, including projects that focus on clean air and clean water.

Nicholson is the North American subsidiary of Soletanche Bachy, a France-based global leader in geotechnical and civil engineering construction.

Soletanche Bachy and its subsidiaries around the world serve a wide range of clients in the public and private sectors, including central and local governments, industrial, general building and civil engineering contractors, property developers and project promoters.

The company offers an extensive portfolio of geotechnical solutions, special foundations, underground construction, ground improvement and pollution treatment and control.

International Family
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Our Team is extremely passionate about the work that we do. To be good at this work, you really have to love every aspect—meeting the challenges when they present themselves, solving the problems and seeing the projects come to life. And we do —we love it all.

JEFF GRIEDER, P. ENG.
Senior Leader

Safety

Nicholson believes every incident is preventable, and is dedicated to achieving zero incidents on every project. We’re stepping up to make our job sites some of the safest in the country. Learn more about our safety practices and initiatives.

People

Our culture feels like family. We work hard, we laugh a lot and we look out for each other. Though we don’t always agree one everything, at the end of the day—we’re all in it together.

Join Our Team

Build a great career with a solid support system! Join a company that feels like family and learn from some of the best in the industry.

Women in Construction

We are committed to the forward progress of women in the construction industry and the development and success of the women in Nicholson.

Sustainability

As a company, and as part of the global Soletanche Bachy family, we are committed to initiatives that keep our planet thriving (and green!)for future generations. Our global family’s directive is to reduce our collective carbon footprint by 40% in 2030.

A history of innovation and pioneers in foundations and soil technologies.

Our history is made up of record breaking depths, first time applications and unique solutions for some of the country’s most complicated projects.

Highlights of more than six decades of geotechnical engineering.
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Nicholson is Back in NYC

Nicholson installed a 215,000SF Diaphragm Wall along the Gowanus Canal in Brooklyn, NY to provide excavation support and groundwater cutoff for a 4-million gallon CSO tank for the NYCDEP. This marks the return of Nicholson to the NYC market since the mid 2010s.

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Innovative Stormwater Solution Installed on I-35W

The Kraemer/Nicholson Joint Venture, through an Early Contractor Involvement (ECI) contract with MnDOT, installed a stormwater storage facility along I-35W to prevent flooding. The project includes six diaphragm wall shafts, deep well dewatering, cross passages, jet grouting, and a pump station.

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Wanapum Dam Emergency

Nicholson leads a 24/7 emergency operation to prevent Wanapum Dam failure, installing large anchors, including underwater stabilization. This project showcases Nicholson’s ability to rapidly mobilize teams and deploy advanced geotechnical solutions for critical infrastructure challenges.

Highlights of more than six decades of geotechnical engineering.
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Post-tension anchors were selected to repair a 65-foot long by two-inch wide crack that spanned the length of one of Wanapum Dam’s monoliths. The entire drilling, grouting and anchor tensioning processes were performed with the assistance of divers using remote cameras to allow engineers at the surface to witness the underwater operations.

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Nicholson was awarded the design-build contract to replace an existing force main from the Virginia Key Central District Wastewater Treatment Plant (CDWWTP) under Biscayne Bay Norris Cut to Fisher Island. The contract included the planning, engineering, design, permitting, procurement, construction / installation, testing and the start-up of the replacement force main.

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After a massive fire destroyed everything but the exterior façade, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints decided to restore a historic Tabernacle in Provo, Utah, and convert it into a Temple in the process. Nicholson was tasked with developing and constructing an elaborate underpinning system so that two levels of basement could be constructed below the structure. The work also included the construction of a support of excavation system around the entire complex and a ground water and cutoff wall and dewater system.

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Nicholson installed a mortar grout mix to fill voids in rock layer 7 ahead of the TBM operations in some of the most unpredictable ground conditions in the country for the Port Miami Tunnel Project (POMT.) Grout was installed onshore at Watson Island and Dodge Island using up to three drills and off shore on the Government Cut channel between the two islands with up to ten barges and leads, working 24 hour shifts around the active cruise ship schedule.

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Approximately 154,000 square feet of diaphragm wall was constructed top-down to support Columbia University’s Manhattanville Development in Harlem, New York City.

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Nicholson installed 14,000  linear feet of grout curtain around the McCook Reservoir for the combined sewer overflow (CSO) system. The entire grouting process was computerized through the use of GROUT I.T., a state-of-the-art computerized grouting control and data collection system developed by Nicholson’s parent company, Soletanche Bachy.  At the time, the McCook Reservoir project was the largest computerized grouting project in the country.

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Nicholson constructed a 50-foot-high cantilevered retaining wall with barrettes for the Abingdon Heights Condominium Tower in Arlington, VA.  This is believed to be the tallest top-down cantilevered wall in the world.

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Nicholson performed extensive geotechnical work at the World Trade Center Transportation Hub, including jet grouting and micropile installation through and under the active #1 Subway Line.

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Nicholson constructed a diaphragm wall support of excavation system for the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center project in Washington, DC.

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A Nicholson-led joint venture installed nearly 1,000 anchors to stabilize the World Trade Center bathtub and facilitate recovery efforts.

Highlights of more than six decades of geotechnical engineering.
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Growth Under Vinci

Soletanche Bachy, Nicholson's parent company, is acquired by Vinci, a global construction leader. This acquisition provides us with expanded resources, cutting-edge technology, and international market access, furthering its reputation as an industry leader in geotechnical engineering and infrastructure solutions.

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New Era with Soletanche Bachy

After Rodio, the previous owner files for bankruptcy, Nicholson joins global geotechnical leader Soletanche Bachy, expanding its capabilities with advanced technologies like diaphragm walls. This partnership strengthens Nicholson’s expertise in deep foundation solutions and complex ground improvement techniques worldwide.

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World Trade Center Recovery

Less than a month after 9/11, Nicholson steps in for emergency repairs at the Twin Towers, stabilizing basement excavation supports. Nicholson remains engaged in reconstruction, demonstrating its rapid response capabilities and dedication to restoring critical infrastructure.

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Mandalay Bay Emergency

Nicholson played a pivotal role in stabilizing the Mandalay Bay Hotel before its grand opening, preventing excessive settlement with the installation of 536 micropiles. Each micropile was equipped with a permanent frame and jack, allowing for lifting and stabilization of the hotel’s foundation mat. This project showcased our expertise in rapid, effective solutions for critical infrastructure under extreme conditions.

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Boston Big Dig

Nicholson contributed to the Boston Big Dig, installing the first U.S. soil mixing support system for the Ted Williams Tunnel and Central Artery Tunnel. The project also marked Nicholson’s debut in jet grouting, demonstrating its expertise in advanced ground engineering on one of the nation’s most complex infrastructure projects.

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Micropile Breakthrough

Nicholson introduces the first high-capacity micropile (Pin Pile) in the U.S. for Shenango Steel. This breakthrough technology revolutionizes foundation reinforcement, providing innovative solutions for challenging soil conditions and expanding Nicholson’s reputation as an industry leader in geotechnical engineering.

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Innovation in Anchors

Arthur, driven by a passion for innovation, expanded into anchor technology by forming a joint venture with Universal Anchorage, creating NAC under the leadership of his son, Pete. This venture led to two industry firsts: the installation of the first permanent soil anchor in the U.S. for the Corps of Engineers in South Haven, MI, and the first permanent rock anchor in Butler, PA.

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The Beginning

Nicholson was founded by Arthur Nicholson in his Pittsburgh basement, initially specializing in pile driving. As steel mills and the interstate highway system expanded, the company grew rapidly, establishing itself as a leader in deep foundation solutions.

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