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Piney Point Aquaculture Center Pier. St. Mary’s County, Maryland.

The design of the improvements to the Piney Point Aquaculture Center pier in St. Mary’s County was led by WRA.

WRA performed a structural analysis and designed a replacement pier and appurtenances for the Maryland DNR at the Piney Point Aquaculture Center on St. George’s Creek. The facility is shared by the DNR Police (as a patrol duty station) and the DNR Fisheries (as a base for aquaculture operations). The new 12-foot wide by 120-foot long heavy-duty timber pier will be capable of supporting heavy equipment loads and will include two fixed finger piers and a section of L-shaped 60-foot long floating dock. Replacement of the pier will allow forklift access and safer operations at the pier. The project also includes new electrical and water service connections, utility pedestals, and light fixtures to support the pier.

Project Highlights

Civil/Land Development

Field investigations were performed along with the layout of the replacement pier. The utility infrastructure and sequence of construction issues was addressed. A gravel access road was extended to provide for improved vehicular access to the pier.

Mapping/GIS/Surveying

Surveying services included topographic surveys of the project limits.

Marine

An analysis of the pier was conducted. The design and preparation of construction documents for the replacement pier.

Electrical

A new electrical distribution was designed while the lighting for the pier was replaced. Extensive coordination with SMECO, the utility service provider, to establish the routing and equipment associated with the new service was also required.

Environmental

A Joint Permit Application was expedited and secured for the project. The project also included extensive coordination with the Army Corps, MDE, Chesapeake Bay Critical Area Commission, and US Coast Guard.