Construction of the Port of Poulsbo’s new floating breakwater is finally complete following years of planning and construction.
The breakwater is expected to officially open in the next few months once some details are sorted out, a Port of Poulsbo Facebook post states.
Typically, the life of a breakwater structure is around 30-40 years. But the old breakwater at the port was going on 60 years old. With Elliot Bay Marina’s donation of used concrete floats and significant grant funding, a new floating breakwater with transient moorage and public access was constructed, an update on the port’s website states.
The state Recreation and Conservation Office awarded $1 million in grant funding for the breakwater while the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service awarded just under $1.5 million.
The port has been working on the project for the last few years, beginning with public bidding in February 2022. A total of six bids were received and Quigg Bros Inc. out of Anacortes was selected as the contractor with a bid of just over $8 million.
Construction began to ramp up in late 2022 with installation of the floating breakwater and pilings, along with demolition of the old breakwater. 2023 is when installation of utilities along with final construction and testing took place. Lastly, the finger piers were installed toward the end of that year.
The floating breakwater was constructed using refurbished donated breakwater pontoons in combination with some new ones, per the port. The breakwater is anchored with steel piles centered on each double slip.
Wave attenuation of the floating breakwater is expected to provide “moderate” performance while a structurally sound pile wall like the previous one provided “good” performance, the port says. Wave energy inside the marina is expected to increase by up to 20% as a result of unrestricted flow beneath the floating breakwater.
Amenities include: Power pedestals (port is maximizing electrical hookup options within the available electricity service limits); floating restroom; lighting provided on new breakwater and connection to dock AA; safety ladders, equipment and fire suppression system; and security upgrades for separation between transient and permanent moorage.
