Project Description
The Wharf Repairs project at C&H Sugar in Crockett, CA involves the repair and rehabilitation of various components of the facility’s wharf infrastructure. The project will be executed in two separate phases over the course of 2021 and 2023.
Major Challenges
Working in the Carquinez Strait presented numerous challenges for this project. The first was contending with the extremely strong currents in this active shipping channel, which required careful coordination of our barge movements with the delivery schedules of C&H’s ships. The divers working on this project faced additional difficulties, having to operate in the dark, cold waters with strong currents while working under the old wharf undergoing rehabilitation. The limited access under the wharf due to tidal fluctuations further complicated the divers’ tasks. Additionally, the presence of abandoned pipes under the aging wharf posed potential risks, as there was a possibility of them falling onto the crews below. Overall, the dynamic environmental conditions, tight scheduling constraints, and hazardous work environment combined to create a highly challenging set of circumstances that the project team had to navigate successfully.
Project Highlights
A key highlight included completing the project on time, under budget, without any environmental impacts, and safely without any injuries or incidents. The wharf repairs were successful and during construction we avoided any impacts to C&H Sugar’s daily operations.
Project Scope
Phase 1 (2021) will encompass all work in the following areas: the Bridge, Bankers Apron, Trestle/Mooring Dolphin, and Sugar Wharf. In addition, the derelict fender pile removal from the Packing House and Warehouse areas will be completed in 2021. There is also an option for the above deck repairs in the Packing House and Warehouse areas to be completed in 2021. The pricing for all work to be performed in the first phase has remained the same as the previous proposal.
Phase 2 will occur in 2023 and will encompass all remaining work in the Packing House and Warehouse areas. Pricing for this phase has been adjusted from the previous proposal to include anticipated future cost escalations. Specifically, labor and equipment costs are known to increase about 3% per year. Material prices may go up or down, but a 10% increase in future material prices, including concrete, rebar, asphalt, and pile wraps, has been assumed with this proposal.
