Barge Loading Facility Improvements

Project Type: Design-Build, New Construction, Alternation, Repair, and Demolition.

Project Description: The project at Mennel Milling's barge loading facility entailed the demolition of an existing antiquated and undersized timber pier and grain conveyor system. Following demolition, an upland vault/tower foundation was installed to support a grain elevator and an erected steel tower. The vault was comprised of a sheet-pile cofferdam with H-Pile foundation piles driven within. After driving the foundation piles, a cast-in-place vaulted interior was cast. Crofton supported a fellow contractor in the erection of the steel tower via provision of crane support and highly-skilled riggers. Offshore, a second tower foundation was constructed. This foundation was comprised of concrete piles and a heavy cast-in-place concrete cap. Again, Crofton supported a fellow contractor in the erection of the offshore tower via the provision of crane support and riggers. Off of either side of the offshore tower foundation, a timber wharf of approximately 350' was driven, with structural turning platforms on either end. A smart barge handling winch system was then installed with two winches being placed on the offshore tower foundation and the turning blocks being placed on the turning platforms. Timber dolphins were driven off the wharf to provide a place for large grain hopper barges to lay. The end result was a modern conveyor system and spout which conveyed grain from the upland storage bins to floating barges manipulated by a smart winch system which shifted the hopper barges back and forth beneath the grain distribution spout. This affords the client a safe time efficient mechanism to increase their grain discharge from their facility.

Project Location

West Point, VA