Construction Equipment Guide
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Tue March 13, 2007 - Southeast Edition
Skanska USA Civil’s Southeast Region was awarded a $31.8 million project from the Virginia Port Authority to construct an extension to its north wharf container pier at Norfolk International Terminals in Norfolk, Va.
Norfolk International Terminals (NIT) is the largest shipping terminal in the Port of Virginia. The port’s central location on the eastern seaboard also makes it ideally situated to service the growing needs of many companies throughout the region. But sections of the piers, wharfs and storage facilities were constructed as long ago as 1918. Several of the container berths are structurally obsolete and showing significant deterioration in both the support piling and decks. Because of the structural deterioration, NIT has to undergo significant renovation and expansion to continue operations.
The work on this contract includes driving 760 24-in. (61 cm) concrete piles and placing rip rap slope protection, which is necessary because of the harsh weather that frequents the area during hurricane season. Other items of work include extending the container crane rails and procurement, installation and testing of a Panzer belt system.
Skanska USA Civil forces also will be responsible for relocating utilities such as water, sewer and fire protection. Two electrical substations will be demolished and replaced with new ones, which will include installation of switch gears, transformers and associated equipment.
Approximately 7,230 cu. yds. (5,500 cu m) of cast-in-place concrete will be used to construct the 900 ft.-long (275 m) extension. A 900 linear-ft.-long AZ 34 sheet pile bulkhead also will be constructed as part of the contract and paved storage for containers.
The extension will be to a 1,500 ft. (460 m) pier constructed by Skanska USA Civil in 1996. Skanska USA Civil most recently completed a contract at NIT to expand the south wharf and before that, also had completed an expansion at the north wharf. This is the third consecutive project awarded by the Virginia Port Authority to Skanska USA Civil in the last 10 years with a total contract value of $129 million. The entire renovation and expansion of NIT is scheduled to be complete in 2010.