Port of Beaumont starts second phase of Main Street Terminal 1 project

The Port of Beaumont Board of Commissioners announced Feb. 19 that is approved a $57.3 million construction bid for a project aimed at increasing the port’s general cargo handling capacity by more than 15%. Phase II of the Main Street Terminal 1 project, awarded to McCarthy Building Companies, includes demolition of a failed dock structure and construction of a new state-of-the-art general cargo dock. The Main Street Terminal 1 project, funded in part by 2017 General Obligation Bonds, a 2019 U.S. DOT BUILD grant and port revenues, is expected to be complete by June 2024. 

“This project has been a labor of love. With more than ten years invested in engineering the project, optimizing the design, securing grants, and gaining final approvals, it’s incredibly rewarding to see it move forward,” said Port Director Chris Fisher “With the additional capacity, we will be able to more fully serve existing customers and welcome new customers.”

With an opportunity for a complete redesign of the terminal, sustainability and resiliency were top of mind. Elements that will provide for more sustainable and resilient infrastructure include: use of concrete piles that provide a corrosion-resistant foundation for extended design life and resiliency; a final concrete topping slab that will be constructed using synthetic concrete reinforcing fibers, as opposed to traditional welded steel wire mesh. This reinforcing material will provide a corrosion-proof surface, which will slow deterioration; and a new fender system that includes an energy-absorbing component to reduce loads on the dock.

 The new dock will be 1,200 feet long and 130 feet wide, with a larger section in the middle measuring 152 feet wide. Its construction will consist of concrete piles, cast-in-place concrete caps and beams, pre-cast concrete deck panels and a concrete topping slab. McCarthy is self-performing all concrete and pile installation, as well as utility installation including water and sewer.

“This project represents an evolution in marine construction, as evidenced by the port’s existing wharves,” said Director of Engineering Brandon Bergeron. “Since the port is over 100 years old, we have docks constructed of timber, steel and concrete, and this project represents the most up-to-date, state-of-the-art advancements in marine engineering design and construction techniques. The Main Street Terminal I project is ushering the port into a new era of development.”

“We are pleased to work alongside the Port of Beaumont to build an important piece of infrastructure that will have positive economic and community impacts,” said Robert Wood, project manager for McCarthy. “Our lengthy history of working with ports, along with our ability to self-perform work, provides us a great basis for successful, on-time completion for challenging projects like this.”

The Main Street Terminal 1 project is the largest of the 20 projects on the port’s 2022 Capital Improvement Program. By Q3 of 2022, it is anticipated that more than $100 million in new projects will be underway, including three new docks and a new rail interchange track.

“The Port of Beaumont’s capital projects are moving closer to the finish line every day and that progress means economic activity, job creation and community impact,” reports the port.

The Port of Beaumont is a deep-water port located in Beaumont that specializes in dry bulk, liquid bulk, breakbulk, project, heavy-lift and roll-on/roll-off cargoes. The Port of Beaumont Channel generates more than 66,000 direct, induced, indirect and related-user jobs and is responsible for more than $25.2 billion in economic activity annually. The Port of Beaumont is the largest strategic military outload port in the nation and consistently ranks as a “Top 10” port nationally, in terms of tonnage. Additional information can be found online at portofbeaumont.com or by following the port on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

McCarthy Building Companies Inc. is the oldest privately held national construction company in the country – with more than 150 years spent collaborating with partners to solve complex building challenges on behalf of its clients. With an unrelenting focus on safety and a comprehensive quality program that span all phases of every project, McCarthy utilizes industry-leading design phase and construction techniques combined with value-add technology to maximize outcomes. Repeatedly honored as a Best Place to Work and Healthiest Employer, McCarthy is ranked the 9th largest domestic builder (Engineering News-Record, May 2020). With approximately 5,000 salaried employees and craft professionals, the firm has offices in St. Louis, Atlanta; Collinsville, Ill.; Kansas City, Kan.; Omaha, Neb.; Phoenix; Las Vegas; Denver; Dallas, Houston; and San Diego, Newport Beach, San Francisco, San Jose and Sacramento, Calif. McCarthy is 100% employee owned. More information about the company is available online at www.mccarthy.com or by following the company on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram.