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Publish and Present
.jpg "Daniel Shieh, P.E. photo")
Daniel Shieh, P.E.
Deputy Chief Harbor Engineer
Port of Long Beach
Long Beach, California
George Paulsen, P.E.
Project Manager
Jacobs
Irvine, California
The Pier G Terminal Rail Operation Efficiency Enhancement and Wharf Structural Integrity Improvements Project at the Port of Long Beach (POLB), through collaboration, coordination, and innovative design accomplished the following objectives:
1. Restore operational efficiency, previously impaired for terminal rail operations on the Metro bulk loading terminal, when they no longer could run around the railyard for safety reasons on the mainline tracks.
2. Provide innovative retrofit repair of a crack in the concrete wharf structure.
3. Minimal disruption of terminal operations during construction through a well-planned program requiring collaboration and flexibility in construction schedules to accommodate the dynamic schedules of train unloading and ship loading
The Design Team developed a plan to eliminate the terminal operator’s use of the mainline tracks to run around the rail yard for access to the head end of the parked rail cars by constructing an 870-ft long lead track between POLB’s mainline tracks and the rail yard. A simulation model of rail operations was developed to demonstrate and confirm the benefits of the proposed track modifications in the project planning stage to obtain support for the project from the terminal operators and stakeholders.
Another aspect of the project involved an innovative repair approach of a longitudinal crack, approximately 1,200 feet in length, on the existing reinforced concrete wharf structure. The crack repair was to restore the structural integrity of the wharf structure.
One of the primary accomplishments of the project involved creating mitigation response measures and procedures during construction to the highly variable train and ship schedules. The bid documents outlined the potential issues that would be encountered during construction and established reactive procedures to accomplish the construction with minimal impacts to the terminal’s operations and productivity. Despite the scheduling challenges and other difficulties at the site, construction was accomplished with amazing efficiency.