McNears Beach Pier – Vessel Collision Repair
McNears Beach Pier is a beloved public fishing pier on San Pablo Bay in San Rafael, California, and has an eventful history. When a large boat broke free during a storm in 2023 and struck the pier, the impact severely damaged a pile and compromised the structure's load-carrying capacity. It wasn't the first time. Liftech had repaired the same pier after an even more significant barge strike in 2009. Marin County Parks called on Liftech again to assess the damage and repair the pier.
The Challenge
The damaged pile left a portion of the pier in a precarious condition, with significant risk of collapse if repairs weren't completed soon. In addition to stabilizing the structure, a portion of the pier needed to be raised to restore it to its original elevation. Repairing the existing pile rather than installing a new one was strongly preferred to limit cost and environmental impact. The sunken boat also remained at the site, requiring careful removal to prevent further damage and allow inspections and repair work to proceed.
Our Approach
The first priority was stabilizing the pier. Liftech designed an innovative shoring and jacking system that sat on competent portions of the pier, spanning over the damaged area. The system allowed jacking the damaged portion of the pier back to its original elevation. Liftech designed repairs to the existing pile and pile cap that did not require driving new piles, permanent or temporary, saving construction cost and reducing environmental impacts. Liftech also provided an imminent risk assessment of the pier's condition, explaining potential collapse scenarios to help Marin County Parks secure the permitting needed to move the repair work forward quickly.
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client testimonial"Liftech was by far the most professional and experienced consulting team I have worked with. They knew exactly how to approach a challenging situation and consistently delivered what was needed. They understood our permitting constraints, demonstrated strong problem-solving skills, and provided a thorough set of plans and specifications that were ready for public bidding. I cannot say enough positive things about Liftech and would recommend them without hesitation."
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Liftech Consultants Inc.
1901 Harrison Street, Suite 1200
Oakland, CA 94612-3574
