Port of Bellingham Blaine Marina Fuel Tank Bulkhead

Battered Blaine bulkhead becomes better. The Blaine Marine Industrial Area serves a variety of users from commercial seafood processors to boatyard services. The industrial area is surrounded by older timber and rock bulkheads. One section of the bulkhead and adjacent timber pier and building was in poor condition, with rotted timbers and the potential to expose and damage active fuel lines running along the backside of the bulkhead and to damage the adjacent roadway. Reid Middleton performed an assessment of the facility to determine its stability and safety and then developed three concepts for repairing the damaged bulkhead. Reid Middleton then completed the design for the preferred repair approach. The final project included the installation of a new sheet pile bulkhead wall, the demolition of the damaged building structure and bulkhead, re-routing fuel/utility lines, and all associated earthwork required to repair the Blaine Harbor bulkhead and restore service of the fuel facility. The new sheet pile bulkhead was placed landward of the existing bulkhead to eliminate in-water work and minimize permitting requirements. The efficient permitting and design process resulted in a project that now provides a stable edge for the important access road and utility systems.