May 1, 2011:
The U.S. Coast Guard has begun using the newly reconstructed pier for its vessels.
November 9, 2010:
Cianbro is nearing completion of the pier. They are finishing the detail work and are set for completion by the end of the month.
September 29, 2010:
The Cianbro crew have been casting the concrete pier deck. That work will continue this week in addition to installation of water and electric services to the ramp and moving the float into position.
August 5, 2010:
Cianbro has just reached a significant milestone - the pile driving has been completed. Things will proceed a bit more quietly from now on as they pour and install the cement pile caps, and then the decking for the pier. Cianbro expects to complete the project in November.
June 29, 2010:
This week, Cianbro is setting and splicing pipe pile bents 23-26, and will be driving bents 23-26 on Thursday. Theyre working on completing the temporary rip rap road, and setting lagging panels (which are complete up to bent 18 except 12-13). They are constructing form systems for pile cap and pour for bents 3, 4, 9, and 10. They are also constructing form and placing concrete for remaining lagging panels. Based on this schedule, pile driving is likely to be complete around the middle of July.
June 15, 2010:
Today Cianbro is driving pile at bents 15-18. This week, they'll be resetting driving frame for bents 19-22, cutting and pulling wood pile clusters and wood interferences, and sticking and splicing pile. They are also setting lagging panels (which are complete up to bent 7), and constructing form systems for pile cap and pour bent 6.
June 1, 2010:
Today Cianbro is completing driving pile at bents 11, 12, and 13. The rest of the week, they will be cutting pile to finish elevation, filling pile with concrete, resetting driving frame for bents 15 - 22, and setting lagging panels.
May 6, 2010:
The construction team is now cutting and pulling wood pile clusters, hauling dredge materials, tying lagging panel rebar, and placing concrete. They are driving pile, which creates some noise. They are doing the noisiest pounding just one day a week. They are also filling pile with concrete, setting template and pile, and building pile cap rebar cages.
April 14, 2010:
This week, Cianbro's team is pulling more wood pile clusters, hauling dredged materials, and tying lagging panel rebar in anticipation of placing concrete tomorrow. They are also setting pile template for driving piles, beginning to set production pile, and relocating the float to the other side of property. More 24 and 30 pile are arriving this week, and the team is building pile cap rebar cages, continuing fabrication of soffit form for pile caps, and constructing the rip rap road. They are continuing to dredge and building a template for the battered ramp pile.
April 6, 2010:
Last week, we held a groundbreaking ceremony to officially kick off the pier reconstruction project. Many friends and supporters gathered with us to celebrate this milestone in our evolution.
This week, 24" and 30" pile is arriving and Cianbro is working on building pile cap rebar cages, tying lagging panel rebar in anticipation of placing concrete, continuing fabrication of soffit form for pile caps, and using the crane to pull wood pile. They are also constructing a rip rap road and will begin dredging and building a template for the battered ramp pile.
We appreciate the support and understanding of our neighbors as this project progresses.
March 11, 2010:
Last week Shaw Brothers made quick work of the wooden bulkhead and have already removed much of the demo material. A 175 Ton Crane that will be used throughout much of the re-building process, including driving the pilings, has just arrived by tug and barge.
Public parking is no longer allowed on the GMRI property in our paved or dirt lots. We regret that we will have to tow unauthorized vehicles.
We ask that all GMRI guests and visitors park in our paved lot.
February 25, 2010:
In 2003, the Gulf of Maine Research Institute (GMRI) secured the second half of our 5.5 acre site on Portland Harbor from the U.S. Coast Guard in return for agreeing to rebuild the crumbling pier that exists on the property. After several years of fundraising and planning, GMRI is now poised to begin this reconstruction effort. We were pleased to select (through a competitive bid process) Cianbro to serve as the contractor for the project and will officially break ground on April 1, 2010.
The work will involve removing rotten wooden decking, cutting off and removing exposed wood piles, driving new steel piles outside the existing sheet pile bulkhead, infilling with concrete lagging, backfilling with crushed stone, and building steel structural supports for a new deck, and decking with precast concrete deck planks.
Once the pier has been rebuilt, the Coast Guard will retain berthing rights for their cutters and GMRI will be able to use the upland portion of the site to construct additional marine-related lab, office, production, and education facilities. This activity will contribute to a robust marine economy in Portland going forward.
