Port of Vancouver Terminal 1 – Bulkhead Wall and Ground Improvements
Project Details
Owner: Port of Vancouver
Location: Vancouver, WA | April 2024 – April 2025
Advanced American Construction (AAC) completed the Terminal 1 Bulkhead Wall Replacement and Ground Improvement project at the Port of Vancouver. The scope of work included demolition of the existing concrete bulkhead wall and construction of a new steel King Pile wall to support future waterfront development.
Following installation of the King Pile wall, Keller performed Deep Soil Mixing (DSM) operations to stabilize subsurface conditions for the future dock and structure. Access constraints during DSM work required careful coordination, as available work areas were limited and sequencing between subcontractors was critical. Additional challenges included winter construction, high Columbia River levels, and restricted access for slope cutting and placement of fish mix material in the river.
During construction, previously installed auger cast shafts from an earlier project were encountered outside of the locations shown in the contract documents. AAC responded by revising the temporary shoring design and modifying the King Pile installation template to safely and efficiently maintain progress.
The project required precision pile driving adjacent to active facilities, including work performed next to the AC Marriott Hotel. AAC also completed upland civil work to support DSM operations, restore disturbed areas, and provide permanent slope protection.
Project Highlights
- Construction of over 500 linear feet of steel King Pile bulkhead wall
- Installation of 62 each 42-inch steel pipe King Piles with 2,680 LF of sheet pile
- Demolition and extraction of over 650 timber piles
- Deep Soil Mixing to improve and stabilize ground conditions
- Excavation and placement of fish mix in the Columbia River
- Placement of 172 CY concrete pile cap
- Precision pile driving adjacent to occupied structures
- Upland civil work, site restoration, and slope protection