Port of Vancouver Berth 17 Rehabilitation

Advanced American Construction (AAC) rehabilitated Berth 17 at the Port of Vancouver, transforming it into a modern, high-capacity marine terminal. This upgrade enables the safe mooring of larger commercial vessels and includes newly installed shore power connections, as well as water and sewage connections for the ships. The work involved demolition of the aging Colby crane and conveyor gallery, removal of timber dolphins and catwalks, and the installation of new steel in-water and upland mooring dolphins with bollards, capstan winches, lighting, shore power, and handrails. The team also reinforced damaged dock structures and constructed three new abutments with catwalks connecting the dock to the in-water infrastructure.

This complex marine construction project required careful scheduling, coordination, and precision as its location was within an active port. AAC worked closely with the Port of Vancouver to minimize disruption, safely manage material deliveries via barge, and adapt to unforeseen site conditions in real time. The phased demolition of the Colby crane required precise cuts and lifts to maintain stability and prevent debris from entering the waterway. An innovative containment system protected the Columbia River throughout the process.

AAC also met tight environmental requirements by completing in-water pile driving within the designated “in-water work window” (IWWW), minimizing impacts on fish habitats. Despite challenges related to logistics, environmental restrictions, and access constraints, the project was completed ahead of schedule and with zero safety incidents.

Award: 2025 AGC Build Washington Award – Tenant Improvement (public/private): Over $5M