As a gateway for international trade, the Port of Long Beach is the second busiest container port in the nation, and 18th busiest in the world. Founded nearly 100 years ago, POLB is known nationally for the 2005 adoption of the Green Port Policy, a commitment to environmental responsibility that is part of the Harbor Commission’s 2006-2016 Strategic Plan to modernize Port facilities. Comprising 3,200 acres of land, POLB projects will minimize negative environmental factors, creating new employment opportunities and causing annual revenue to grow exponentially.
POLB’s “Pier J” presents a broad number of challenges. The Green Port Policy calls for green building and cold ironing, or, Alternative Maritime Power (AMP). AMP is an electrical system used to describe the process of connecting a ship to shore-side electrical power. This allows a ship to receive constant power during the loading and unloading of cargo while the ship’s internal engine is shut off. The introduction of this type of electrical system will greatly decrease or eliminate air pollution emitted by carrier engines at POLB’s, Pier J.
In business since 1985, Helix Electric has been called upon to upgrade the Pier J’s electrical systems, a project that has promised to pose steep challenges.
Helix Superintendent Mike Lindley was aware that the introduction of two new 15kv substations feeding twenty (20), 6.6kv Shore Power Outlets (SPO) to Pier J were going to present a challenge for his crew of 100 workers because of the site’s poor soil conditions. In order to tackle the 18-month project as productively as possible, Lindley knew that hiring Trench Plate Rental Company to provide the highest of quality trench and underground shoring and safety products was necessary.
TPR stepped up to the challenge, well equipped to satisfy the demands of the project, making sure all of the correct equipment was promptly delivered to the Long Beach job site.
To complete the project, 127,000 ft. (38,710 m) of high voltage cable, 10,000 cu. yds. (7,646 cu m) of concrete, along with 26,000 ft. (7,925 m) of duct bank to protect and separate the cabling is being utilized.
This tedious electrical work called for TPR to provide Quik-Shor Aluminum Hydraulic Shores, as well as Quik-Shor End Braces. These lightweight, pre-assembled, pre-engineered QS Aluminum Hydraulic Shores exceed industry standards and can be handled by a single person in most situations for maximum productivity. Additionally, the shores allow for trenching safety at depths of 4 to 15 ft. (1.2 to 4.7 m).
The Quik-Shor End Brace, also provided by TPR is a three-sided, hydraulic shoring system used to protect the trench walls, while simultaneously protecting the end of the trench. It incorporates aluminum panels similar to sheet piles and maintains the ability to be used in conjunction with other shoring systems, including the Aluminum Hydraulic Shores.
The unique product utilizes components proven over years of use, providing extra support for Helix’s challenging project demands. The QS End Braces can be kept up to 2 ft. (.6 m) from the bottom of excavations in Type A and B soils, and at up to depths of 20 ft. (6.1 m) and widths of 10 ft. (3 m), depending on soil type.
Pier J also required 1200 ft. (366 m) of bored casing. Trench Plate Rental Co. knew to deliver Trench Boxes and Aluminum Hydraulic Quik-Boxes to the Helix job site. The Quik-Boxes are ideal for use in tight, small areas, especially in Pier J’s tough, Type C soil. They are easily positioned and stackable, with the ability to be set up for both three and four sided applications. Quik-Box is able to safely shore up to 20 ft. in depth and is able to provide cross connections by way of the featured side doors, eliminating unnecessary labor efforts for Pier J’s personnel.
Mr. Lindley expected a number of cave-ins because of the site’s soil conditions. With 66 manholes on site he recognized the importance of keeping personnel as safe as possible. With a reputation for providing safe and efficient products, TPR rose to the occasion, delivering Quik-Shor Manhole Boxes so crews may easily install electrical vault settings. The versatile, easily stacked product has been advantageous, allowing Helix crews to stay on schedule.
TPR made sure all of the correct equipment was promptly delivered to Long Beach meeting all deadlines and tight delivery schedules. Upon completion, Pier J will be billed as a Green Port, capable of sourcing clean energy to a new generation of larger ships. The project is scheduled to conclude in late December 2013.
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