URI Bay Campus Pier RECONSTRUCTION

As a sub-consultant, Steere was responsible for environmental permitting coordination for the reconstruction of the University of Rhode Island (URI) Bay Campus pier, pumphouse, and seawater intake system along with the design of structural components of the pier, located in Narragansett, Rhode Island.

The URI Bay Campus is located on the western shore of Narragansett Bay. The existing waterfront facilities consisted of a fixed pier, constructed around 1963. Until recently, the pier served as homeport for the 185-foot R.V. Endeavor vessel. URI was awarded a new, larger research vessel, the Narragansett Dawn, which arrived in 2023. To accommodate the vessel and to upgrade the facilities for sea-level rise, URI commissioned the design of a new pier. The pier was raised over 5-feet in elevation over the existing pier to decrease the frequency of overtopping experienced at the existing pier. The new T-shaped pier was also reoriented and lengthened to accommodate the longer vessel.

Steere was responsible for the design of the shoreside approach and pile supported pier approach abutment. Additionally, Steere was responsible for the project-wide permitting effort, which required close coordination with CRMC, RIDEM, ACOE and the State Building Commission to acquire all necessary permits for the project. Steere worked closely with the University and the design team, led by Appledore Marine Engineering, throughout the duration of the project.

The pier was constructed by Mohawk Northeast, Inc. and provides over 200 LF of berth for URI’s new research vessel. Steere provided support services during construction including weekly site visits to monitor progress as well as shop drawing and RFI review.

Location: Narragansett, Rhode Island

Owner: University of Rhode Island (URI)

Timeline: Design Completed in 2021; Construction Completed in 2023