Work scheduled to begin on Boat Haven breakwater

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Work to repair a portion of the Boat Haven breakwater is scheduled to begin Jan. 9, the Port of Port Townsend announced Tuesday, Jan. 3.

The port has given a notice to American Construction Co. of Tacoma to proceed with the project. The company plans to move a barge into position near the outside of the breakwater on Monday, and expects the project to take one week, according to a press release.

The older portion of the breakwater was built in the 1950s and has deteriorated over the years. There are large holes on the outside and the integrity of structure is at risk.

The port commission approved the project after port staff presented findings of an assessment completed by Mott MacDonald, a coastal engineering firm.

The engineer concluded that the need for an immediate repair was “very high,” and that a delay would leave the structure very vulnerable. Port staff concurred that delaying action could lead to accelerated additional damage and potential for a breach under even non-extreme storm events, according to a press release.

The American Construction barge is to remain just outside the breakwater for the duration of the project. Construction is to be staged and in accordance with the project permit, must avoid any impact to nearby eelgrass. Construction is to take place during daylight hours; some inspections are scheduled to occur at night to coincide with low tides, according to a press release.

“We expect this repair to buy us a few more years,” said Sam Gibboney, executive director of the port. “The structure is at the end of its serviceable life, and we will need to make longer term plans for its eventual replacement.”

The contract for the repairs was awarded to American Construction after a competitive bid process. The contract amount is $206,016.