Port of Galveston to Repair Public Pier

Galveston Wharves’ board of trustees today unanimously approved a project to repair pilings and pier deck in the Pier 19 area of the port. The board awarded the contract, with a not to exceed value of $190,000, to Taylor Marine Construction, Inc. to replace damaged pilings and deck. The work, which is expected to last approximately three months, is scheduled to begin in February 2015.

 

Pursuant to the Charter of the City of Galveston, the port is charged with maintaining the Pier 19 public facility. The contract awarded today is one of two current projects. Last month, Texas Gulf Construction Company, Inc was awarded a $120,000 contract to rebuild the pier that connects the fuel pier to shore. On October 25, 2014 a section of the wooden pier that provides access to the fuel dock collapsed. Concerned about the integrity of the other piles on that pier, the port contacted Texas Gulf Construction Company, Inc. for a quote to remove and replace all of the pilings and repair the walkway supported by the pilings. During a special meeting on November 3, 2014, the board of trustees of the Galveston Wharves approved the award of a contract for emergency repairs to Texas Gulf Construction Company, Inc. The work also includes rebuilding the wooden pier’s deck. Repairs to the access pier are expected to be completed next week. 

 

The contract awarded today to Taylor Marine Construction, Inc. funds repairs to other wood pilings at Pier 19 that have been damaged or have deteriorated since they were installed. On December 9, 2014 bids to complete the repairs to Pier 19 were gathered and evaluated. As part of the bid process, the port asked interested contractors to assess the feasibility of repairing as well as replacing the damaged pilings. Based upon information included in the bids, the port concluded that it would be more cost effective to replace the damaged pilings. 

 

This major investment by the Port in the City’s Pier 19 facility builds on a $3.1 million dollar project in 1999 and 2000. That project included: installation of new bulkhead, installation of a new concrete pier, installation of a new wooden finger piers, pavement and drainage improvements to the parking area, and installation of public restrooms.