As you’re traveling south over the General Sullivan Bridge, look to your right and you’ll see two new dock structures along the waterfront. One was completed last fall, while the other is our newest addition: an 86-foot pier that reflects the continued growth and craftsmanship of our marine construction team.
Every successful marine construction project begins long before installation day. It starts with careful planning, attention to detail, and a crew committed to getting the job done right regardless of the season. This latest waterfront project is a testament to that commitment.
Working throughout the winter months, a dedicated PCMS crew fabricated a custom aluminum gangway and a 40-foot float entirely in the shop, allowing precision work to continue despite harsh New England winter conditions. Building these components indoors helped maintain quality and efficiency while preparing for seamless installation in the field.
The pier was built on site from the pilings up. Due to the steep grade between the shoreline and the pier, the crew added a custom wooden transition ramp to provide safe and convenient access. Then, PCMS proactively outfitted the pier with conduit and piping to accommodate future electrical and freshwater service, positioning the structure for subsequent waterfront improvements.
A key feature of this project was the installation of helical anchors to securely hold the float in place. Chosen for their exceptional holding strength and long-term durability, they minimize disturbance to the surrounding seabed during installation while providing a reliable mooring system.
Once the foundation was in place, our crew carefully assembled and installed the waterfront system, integrating the shop-built float and aluminum gangway with the pier. This combination of shop fabrication and field installation required careful coordination at every stage to ensure a durable, long-lasting result.
Congratulations to the crew on another successful marine construction project completed safely and with excellence.