Project Details
Georgia Ports Authority is one of most important economic agencies in Georgia. Recent data shows that GPA facilitates over $140 billion in sales, contributes roughly 9% of the state’s GDP, and directly or indirectly provides over 560,000 jobs. Important to C.W. Matthews, GPA is one of the Baker Division’s most important customers, and we have been fortunate to be part of many GPA construction projects over the years.
In early 2024, the Baker Division was awarded a contract by GPA for work at the Ocean Terminal facility in Savannah. The contract, formally named GPA Ocean Terminal Container Expansion Phase 3 – Surcharge Project, is part of GPA’s current redevelopment of that entire facility. It includes site demolition, temporary and permanent earthwork, and ground improvements. With an original schedule requiring over $28 million of work being completed in just 215 days, it is the most challenging project ever undertaken by the Baker Division.
History of the Ocean Terminal site indicates that it has been used for various shipping related purposes for over 150 years. From shipbuilding, troop deployment, freight handling, and passenger transport in its earlier days as Diamond Manufacturing and the Ocean Steamship Company, to becoming one of Georgia Ports Authority’s main facilities in 1958 for common freight, forest products, heavy lift cargo, autos, and construction and farm equipment. Over the past few years, GPA’s strategic growth plans have evolved to change the way it uses the Ocean Terminal facility. Over a series of projects, GPA has relocated much of the previous freight traffic to other areas of operations. The new facility will provide the most modern and efficient container operation in the port. Our contract includes several significant areas of work – demolition, earthwork and ground improvements. The scope of demolition work includes removal of two large warehouse buildings totaling almost 500,000 SF, 40,000 SY of RCC pavement, 90,000 SY of asphalt pavement, 10,000 LF of pavement saw cuts, 16,000 LF of waterline, 5,000 LF of electrical duct bank, miles of sanitary and storm sewer pipe, 860 LF of concrete box culvert, 1,500 wood and concrete piling, excavation of roughly 100,000 CY of soil, removal of a 114 year old concrete water tower, and demolition of two obsolete ship-to-shore cranes. All the removed asphalt, concrete, and stone materials are being recycled for future use.
New work to be installed includes perimeter security fencing, 245,000 CY of initial fill of granular material to bring the site to a uniform grade, installation of 4,490,000 LF of wick drains, placement of surcharge fill of 100,000 CY of granular material and 190,000 CY of suitable material, miscellaneous storm drainage, relocation of electrical utilities, and temporary installations of water and sewer services. Most all the soil materials required were provided from offsite sources. As things often go on GPA projects, there have been a number of changes in the work to be done – some by design and others by unanticipated conditions underground. Early in the work, over 700 additional piles were discovered outside of the initial area and were removed. All types of debris were encountered during installation of the wick drains that not only impeded production, but also caused installation to be impossible in some areas. These changes have increased the amount of the original contract by almost $1.8 million and added time to accommodate the delays. Also, the project has recently been expanded significantly in scope and area by design changes adding fill and surcharge in an area adjacent to the original work. A change order for almost $16 million has been approved for this additional work. The project is over 90% complete not including the pending change order.
So far, the most exciting and memorable part of the project has been demolition of the concrete water tower and two ship-to-shore cranes by controlled explosions. These were handled by a demolition subcontractor working with us and provided quite an event. Through a complicated process of preparation, approvals, public notification, site safety and security measures, and precise placement of the explosive charges all three structures were successfully toppled, as planned, at 8:00 AM on Saturday, August 24, 2024. A few seconds, a little smoke, dust, shake, rattle, and roll was all it took. When complete in 2026, the new and improved Ocean Terminal facility will include five ship berths, direct access to Interstate 16, direct onsite rail access, enhanced gate facilities, and almost 200 acres of paved container stack area. The facility will be capable of handling over 2 million TEU’s (Twenty Foot Equivalent Units) annually and is a significant part of GPA’s growth strategy as it grows towards becoming the largest container terminal on the east coast.
Savannah, Georgia
