Press Advisory
July 12, 2012
Construction to Begin on Wharves 1 & 2 Modernization Project
Construction is expected to begin soon on the Port’s Wharves 1 & 2 modernization project after the Commission recently awarded a $13.9 million contract to Manson Construction Company, which has been in the marine construction industry since 1905.
To help finance the project, the Port Commission approved and City Council ratified a $10 million private placement of revenue bonds with GE Government Finance, Inc., for a 20-year period.
Construction is expected to last through December 2013. The project will reconstruct and modernize Wharves I and 2 and the upland areas that support these wharves so that the Port can better serve its existing and projected customer base while remaining flexible enough to respond to changing market conditions.
The project’s first phase includes demolition of the wharves and associated piles, demolition of Warehouse 1, removing rail between the warehouse and wharves, and construction of a new 426-foot long by 58-foot wide prestressed concrete wharf with two 30-foot wide access ramps to shore. Interconnecting walkways/catwalks between the new wharf and existing dolphins, fender system, bollards, and other improvements to accommodate the range of vessels expected to call at the Port.
Additional Phase 1 improvements include constructing a new 800 sq. ft. stevedore/longshore building, new area lighting, upgraded electrical utilities, a 920-foot long seawall, new road, parking area, and drainage system.
As part of the second phase of the project, the existing conveyor/hopper system would be relocated further south along the wharves and the existing aggregate shipping, handling, and storage operations would be realigned in order to reduce berth conflicts and increase operational efficiency and flexibility at the wharves.
Waterfront Access Improvements Part of Project
The Port will be making improvements to public access areas on the Port’s waterfront as part of the Wharves 1&2 Redevelopment Project.
Because the project is located in an industrial area with maritime safety and security restrictions, the public access improvements will be made in an area between the Port’s Marina and the fishing pier.
The major feature will be a new waterfront promenade, approximately 400 ft .long and 12 ft. wide, running parallel to the shoreline with new handicap access and parking. A new lawn and landscaping will be located adjacent to the promenade and a raised, semiprivate seating area on the lawn will have views of the water.
Existing large concrete planter “barriers” will be removed, which will improve waterfront views and attractiveness. At the popular fishing pier, the existing steps will be removed and a handicap ramp installed to connect to the new promenade.
