Port Construction underway

They’re rotating the pilings on the waterfront, blocking off water access to the port area and closing the gates to the public, as the Fairview container port heads into its active construction phase. For those used to just wandering down to the super port for a Sunday afternoon walk along the tracks there are some big changes that will change your routine. The public can longer just head down to the parking lot and leave their cars there while they explore the area, a gate set up along Scott road will now stop all the lookie loos before they get anywhere near the construction site. There will be the chance to take a look at the progress from an observation site above the terminal area, but the days of cruising down Scott road on a sunny afternoon are done.

The Daily had two stories on the progress of construction down at Fairview and the impact on the public they will have. You can check them both out below.


CONSTRUCTION AT PORT LEADS TO LIMITS ON ACCESS
The Daily News
Tuesday, April 25, 2006
Pages One and Three

The Prince Rupert Port Authority is now implementing sea-based initiatives to protect public safety and ensure site security during the construction phase of the Fairview Terminal Container Project.

The Port has placed bright orange bladders 400 feet off shore to demark the water-side working area perimeter and limit access only to vessels related to the construction project.

“There will be a lot of activity on the water within the 400 foot zone, including the installation of extremely high tension cable just under the surface essential to securing the new pilings, “ said David Fisher, port manager, operations and maintenance.

This represents a very serious safety hazard that could damage or sink a vessel if it struck the cable, or gravely injured crew members from the whiplash if a vessel severed the cable.”

The area is already established as a “No Fishing” zone, in accordance with the Port Authorities Operations Guidelines made pursuant to the Canada Marine Act, due to its potential impact on shipping, navigation, deep sea vessel anchoring and float plane activities.

In addition to the existing security fence around the terminal perimeter, the Port has erected an access-control gate near the top of Scott Road, a private road owned by the Port, to manage access to the construction site including limiting public use of the road.

“We are aware that some residents have used the road for many years for walking and other recreational activities,” said Fisher. “However, industrial traffic on the road will increase significantly as project construction ramps up and we need to ensure the project area is safe and secure for both the public and construction workers.”

The Port has undertaken several initiatives to meet public needs affected by the limited use of Scott Road. The viewing area located above the terminal has been refurbished and will still be accessible to the public during regular construction working hours of 6:30 a. m. to 6:30 p. m. from Monday to Saturday.

Fisher says extensive signage has been installed to inform the public about the changes.

“We need the community’s understanding and support of these changes to help ensure the Fairview Container Project is completed on time and without incident,” he said.

Anyone requiring additional information is encouraged to contact the Port at 627-8899.


WORK ON PORT PROJECT START WITHOUT A BANG
By Leanne Ritchie
The Daily News
Monday, April 24, 2006
Pages One and Five

The sounds of construction down at the Fairview Container Terminal shouldn’t be anywhere near as loud as what people have experienced during other waterfront construction projects thanks to a different pile driving technique.

“We are installing the first couple of pilings now,” said Barry Barlett, the port’s new manager of corporate communications and public affairs.

“But you’re not going to hear that “Thump, Thump, Thump” noise.”

Rather the pilings – 99 in total will support the extension of the existing dock – are being driven using a vibration technique and then turned, rather than driven, into the bedrock.

“It won’t be silent by any means but there will be much less noise than what you hear in Vancouver (at the site of the convention centre,” said Don Krusel, president and CEO of the Prince Rupert Port Authority during a recent Chamber of Commerce lunch meeting.

The construction underway now is in preparation for the dock extension as well as preparing the new and existing dock to handle the weight of the container cranes.

The cranes, which are anticipated to be installed next summer, will be used to lift containers off ships into the storage yard or onto rail cars.

Each crane will weigh 1,800 tonnes and stand 300 feet high, twice as high as the Highliner Inn.

The dock is being engineered so it can withstand the weight of six cranes at once, although the first phase only calls for three to be installed.

The cranes themselves will be mounted on rail tracks for movement across the dock.

With the first cruise ship expected within four weeks and the summer fishing season underway, mariners can anticipate safety announcements from the port regarding construction.

The port also anticipates awarding the second contract - the terminal services contract – in the very near future.

This contract includes work digging up the existing terminal yard and installing new servicing for the storage and rail yards. The project has been divided into four contracts. The other contracts deal with the buildings ad the electrical servicing.

Meanwhile, the Metlakatla and Lax Kw’alaams First Nations are continuing to pursue two court actions following failed negotiations with the federal government. The bands allege there has been a complete lack of interest from the federal government in negotiations surrounding their rights and title in the area of development.

Members of those communities continue to assert Aboriginal fishing rights in the area, however construction has not been impeded.