Client
Door County Parks Department
Services provided
Civil engineering
Construction document preparation
Contractor bid review
Construction management/administration
Construction testing and observation
Harbor design
Structural engineering
Value engineering
Awards
Associated Builders and Contractors – Projects of Distinction 2006
Door County Visitor Bureau's "Pride In Place"
Project overview
The Green Bay shoreline in Door County, WI, was in need of a harbor of refuge and boat launch facility. With excellent fishing in the waters near the former old quarry site, a boat launch and adequate car/trailer parking made this a desirable site for fishermen. Safety was a major concern for boaters along this 18-mile stretch of open water between Sturgeon Bay and Egg Harbor. In addition, a 1990s boat ramp left boaters unable to use or return to the dock when waves covered the ramp.
Approach
Building a $4.1 million harbor of refuge and protected boat access at an old stone quarry was a unique and challenging project for the Door County Parks Department and STS. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) would only allow a minimal footprint on the existing lake bottom, so most of the harbor had to be built within the old quarry. Other construction challenges included old boat slips from quarry operations, old shipwrecks, winter weather, severe waves, ice and the need to keep a county road open that ran through the site.
For this project, STS used a geotextile grid instead of the conventional steel tierods to anchor the steel sheet pile harbor wall in place. The material is more stable, with a longer service life and anti-corroding qualities. This easier installation provided the Parks Department with a savings of time and materials.
STS took great effort to protect the history of the site. An existing shipwreck was avoided and marked, maritime artifacts were prominently displayed, and the history of the quarry operations was recognized with signage. An environmental design consideration included a storm water collection system at the top of the boat ramp to reduce sediment, nutrients, oils and greases from draining into the harbor.
Client benefits
- STS’ design used innovative engineering techniques and materials to expedite the construction schedule and reduce construction costs by an estimated $500,000.
- The project was completed in less than one year and the community received a safe harbor.
- This safe harbor expands the general public’s access to the water, making it available for both amateur and expert boaters. Boat launches in 2007 are expected to increase 250 percent from 2003
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