For Port Saint John (PSJ) to continue to compete and grow on the world stage, a terminal upgrade is essential. Terminal upgrades are required to accommodate larger vessels and provide the proper handling capability required to service modern fleets. The project will modernize and consolidate Rodney and Navy Island Terminals enabling the facility to handle ships up to the New Panamax vessel size. The improvements will include increasing the port capacity by modernizing and consolidating two adjacent terminals (namely the Rodney and Navy Island Terminals) and implementing new operating systems and technology to enhance cargo handling capabilities.
Dillon and project partner, Hatch Corporation, were retained by PSJ to lead the engineering design, planning, and permitting of the West Side Terminal Modernization Project. The Dillon/Hatch Joint Venture were selected for this project based on our knowledge and understanding of key project issues, an experienced project team, local presence, and commitment to PSJ's vision and ultimate goal for the future. The team was retained to provide overall project management, preliminary design, detailed design, environmental support, and construction phase services.
Included in the works are the following components:
- Landside Works: These works include: expanding the existing railyard to increase capacity, efficiency, and intermodal flow; improving container handling and bulk cargo areas ensuring terminal diversity and flexibility is maintained and improved; updating truck access and terminal routing to include semi-automatic clearance technology, cargo tracking, and additional lanes; and updating and modernizing warehouse requirements to enhance terminal operational capabilities;
- Marine Works: A new 345 m wharf suitable for multi-use such as bulk material, roll-on/roll-off (Ro-Ro), and container handling for New Panamax size vessels. The modifications will result in increasing the draft from -12.2 m Chart Datum (CD) to -17.1 m CD; and
- Deepening and Widening of the Main Channel: Deepening the main channel from -8.4 m CD to -9.5 m CD and widening the channel by 40 m (i.e., 20 m on each side of the main channel) to increase the operational tidal windows for current traffic and anticipated larger vessels.
The West Side Terminal Modernization Project is currently in the construction phase of the marine works and main channel dredging. The landside works, including intermodal yard and truck gate, are in the design phase with construction anticipated to begin in the Fall of 2021.
Awards
- Association of Consulting Engineering Companies New Brunswick, Power of Collaboration Award, 2023
- Canadian Consulting Engineering Awards, Award of Excellence (Transportation), 2023
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