State Pier Complex Improvements
1. Notice of Scoping for State Pier Complex Improvements
Municipality where proposed project might be located: New London
Address of Possible Project Location: 200 State Pier Road, New London, CT. 06320
Project Description: The Department of Economic & Community Development upon the request of the Connecticut Port Authority has prepared this scoping notice. The Connecticut Port Authority is currently conducting a planning/design study related to the improvements needed at the State Pier Complex. The State Pier facility contains approximately 4,000 linear feet of dockage along its two main piers, on-dock rail connectivity to the New England Central Railroad (now owned by Genesee & Wyoming) system, 200,000 square feet of warehouse space, deep water access, and direct connection to the interstate highway system. The site is generally known as the State Pier Complex, which not only includes waterfront features such as piers and quay walls but also includes upland areas straddling State Pier Road and land north of the Gold Star Bridge.
In 2011, the State Pier Needs and Deficiency Planning Study was commissioned by the Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) to identify site-related and infrastructure repairs and improvements that would better position the facility to capture emerging East Coast shipping opportunities and accommodate some of the logistics generated by the $5 billion in cargo flow annually in Connecticut.
The existing physical plant was found generally to be in good condition relative to similar New England ports with some exceptions. Some of State Pier's greatest constraints are the limited near dock surface area available for cargo moves and laydown area and poor surface conditions. Dredging to achieve uniform depths for both piers and the poor structural and overall condition of the Central Vermont Railroad (CVRR) Pier are among the most challenging deficiencies that need to be remedied.
CTDOT has elected to proceed with preliminary design of improvements generally as outlined in the State Pier Needs and Deficiencies Study. The current design phase includes due diligence, development and evaluation of alternatives, and preliminary engineering followed by preliminary design. Due diligence includes:
- Site visits
- Subsurface soils investigations, both upland and in-water
- Structure inspections, including underwater
- Topographic survey (by CTDOT)
- Hydrographic survey
- Utility mapping
- Review of available environmental data for dredge materials
- Identification and mapping of regulatory limits
Assessment of alternatives involved structure rehabilitation options along with various upland grading schemes and site layout scenarios. Preliminary Design plans generally depict:
- Site layout and circulation
- Location of buildings, drives, parking, etc.
- Access road design
- Site security provisions
- Site grading, retaining walls, and drainage
- Structure rehabilitation plans and details
- Dredge plans
- Schematic utility and illumination layout
- Track restoration layout and details
The Preliminary Design submission represents deliverables essentially considered 35% complete, which shall be submitted and reviewed by CTDOT. The goal of the 35% design is to further develop the project in an effort to better understand opportunities, impacts, and costs. This report is intended to address environmental, utility, right-of-way, and other constraints and needs. The Preliminary Design submission also includes an engineer's opinion of probable construction costs and will serve to further discussions with CTDOT relative to phasing the work.
Project Map(s): Click here to view a map of the project area. Click here to view an aerial photo of the State Pier.
Written comments from the public are welcomed and will be accepted until the close of business on: June 16, 2017
Any person can ask the sponsoring agency to hold a Public Scoping Meeting by sending such a request to the address below. If a meeting is requested by 25 or more individuals, or by an association that represents 25 or more members, the sponsoring agency shall schedule a Public Scoping Meeting. Such requests must be made by May 26, 2017.
Additional information about the project can be viewed online at the Connecticut Port Authority Website: www.portsct.com
Written comments and/or requests for a Public Scoping Meeting should be sent to
| Mr. Joseph Salvatore | |
|
Connecticut Port Authority | |
|
505 Hudson Street - 3rd Floor Hartford, CT 06106-7106 | |
| E-Mail: | joseph.salvatore@ct.gov |