Columbia River Carbonates – New Marine Terminal

Prime Contractor: Advanced American Construction
Owner: Columbia River Carbonates
Location: Woodland, WA | June 2022 – March 2024

Advanced American Construction (AAC) partnered with Columbia River Carbonates (CRC) to deliver the first new marine terminal constructed on the Columbia River in over 14 years. Located in Woodland, Washington, the terminal was designed to receive calcium carbonate mined in Alaska. AAC was engaged early in the project lifecycle to provide constructability input during the permitting and design phases, helping shape efficient and innovative construction solutions.

Phase 1:

Phase 1 scope included construction of the offshore and onshore mooring and berthing dolphins, and installation of miscellaneous marine furnishings including handrails, ladders, fenders, winches, and a retractable mechanized gangway. AAC also performed dynamic testing of gallery stowage hooks and hoist crane certification involving lifts exceeding 300,000 pounds.

To streamline construction and lower costs, AAC designed and installed a more efficient offshore pile anchorage system.

To address challenging river conditions and limited site access, AAC installed temporary onshore H-piles and constructed a floating dock and gangway, enabling safe offshore access while preserving the adjacent public beach. Precision installation of battered offshore piles was achieved using a custom-built, removable pile template that also served as a survey control datum. Concrete placement for offshore structures was completed using a coordinated system of pump trucks, spud barges, extended hose lines, and crane-assisted placement.

Throughout Phase 1, AAC provided floating equipment and offshore access to support environmental, engineering, and construction partners, keeping all critical path activities on schedule.

Phase 2:

AAC executed the heavy-lift scope for the Columbia River Carbonates marine terminal, including installation of the hoist tower and the 310-foot-long conveyor bridge (gallery). This phase required extensive planning, precision execution, and coordination among multiple contractors to safely transport and erect oversized components under tight clearance constraints.

AAC helped develop a new method for installing the gallery when standard approaches wouldn’t work. Leveraging its expertise in floating construction and heavy lift operations, AAC coordinated with the Owner, Engineer of Record, steel fabricator, and heavy lift specialists to design a roll-on/roll-off installation strategy. The gallery, measuring 310 feet long and weighing over 450,000 pounds, was loaded onto a barge at the Columbia Business Center in Vancouver, Washington, then transported upriver for installation.

The operation utilized self-propelled modular transporters (SPMTs), a hydraulic gantry jack system, derrick barges, tugboats, and multiple support barges. AAC’s Millennium Manitowoc 4100 Series 3 Ringer Derrick Barge and a Manitowoc 4000 Series Derrick Barge were key assets in the lift and placement operation. The gallery was threaded through the hoist tower with less than one foot of clearance on either side, requiring precise alignment and real-time coordination.

AAC also developed and executed testing procedures for the gallery’s steel stowage hooks using hydraulic jacks and test beds, ensuring long-term structural performance. In addition, AAC supported crane certification through the design of an underslung steel test frame supported by modular barges ballasted to precise weights.

Five separate companies collaborated on this phase of work, highlighting AAC’s ability to manage complex, multi-party heavy-lift operations while maintaining schedule, budget, and safety performance. The success of this phase contributed to the project’s recognition, receiving two AGC National awards and a local AGC chapter award.

Award: 2025 AGC Baldwin Group Build America Award – Marvin M. Black Excellence in Partnering and Collaboration
Award: 2025 AGC Baldwin Group Build America Award – Highway & Transportation New (Under $20 Million)
Award: 2025 AGC Build Washington Awards – Heavy/Industrial: $5M – $20M