The Dock5 Pier is the main artery that connects the Port Dock5 complex to the shoreline providing access to the fishing industry. The Dock5 is at the very heart of the fishing industry in Lincoln City & the pier is what keeps Newport’s “Working Waterfront” working. The original pier was built in the 1960’s on creosote piling and underwent a renovation in the 1990’s but the pilings were failing.
After a long road of advocating, engineering, analyzing, & grant submittals, the Port was able to commission the rebuild project with nearly an impossible timeline due to the permitted in-water dates. AAC partnered with the Port and their CM to expedite the NTP & mobilization process to begin demolition & pile extraction within weeks.
The Port of Newport Dock 5 Pier Replacement Project exemplifies a true partnership and collaboration effort by all parties working towards a common goal from start to finish.
Newport’s commercial fishing fleet is the largest and among the most impactful in the State of Oregon. According to the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), Newport has ranked in the top five West Coast ports for annual landings of seafood for the past decade; Newport’s fishing industry led the West Coast in 2014 with 124 million pounds. At 4,562 linear feet of available moorage, the Port Dock 5 complex is the largest and best operational commercial moorage in the country and is home to over 65 businesses. The Port of Newport’s Commercial Marine is the heard of commercial fishing in Lincoln County.
This replacement project was a monumental milestone to this culmination of several years of planning and design to replace the 60-year-old structure that is integral to the commercial fishing industry and the vessels that call Newport home.
Advanced American Construction, Inc. (AAC) was the prime contractor hired by the Port of Newport and their Construction Manager HDR, Inc to complete the rebuild this past season. The project required the complete demolition and reconstruction of the existing dilapidated wooden structure pier comprised of 50 creosote wood piles and 11 bents. Prior to demolition, AAC installed piles and bracketry to accommodate temporary access and utility raceways allowing the fishing community to maintain 100%-foot access to Dock 5 Complex throughout the duration of the project.
This project had a very diverse set of marine disciplines for AAC to self-perform:
Alternative Access
Creosote Pile Extraction, Handling & Disposal
New Pile Transport & Installation (vibratory & diesel hammer)
Steel Cross Bracing & Cathodic Protection Installation
Precast Concrete Deck Panel Installation
Cast-in-Place Concrete Topping Slab Placement
Installation of new Gangway, Float, & Guardrail
Reroute/Maintain all Utilities
Support Electrical Upgrade
At the time of bid (December 2020), The Port was up against a wall due to the state permitting regulations limiting the in-water-work-window to November-February 14th. The Port approached AAC as the lowest responsible bidder and we responded with a schedule showing that with a short extension, the project can be completed without having to wait till the next In-Water-Work-Window opening next November.
“Due to a recent award of federal funding as well as the requirements for in water construction, AAC faced a nearly impossible timeline. Demonstrating exceptional aptitude in both innovative resources management and government partnership, AAC provided the necessary details of their proposed methods and adapted schedules to comply with the Port’s time-critical request for an extension of the in-water construction window. They mobilized their marine pile-driving outfit to the remote Central Oregon Coast within three weeks of the executed contract and removed the 50 creosote timber piles. They drove 18 new steel pilings before time ran out on the in-water work extension.”
Paula Miranda – General Manager, Port of Newport
