Columbia, SC - The South Carolina State Ports Authority (SCSPA) Board today approved two contracts covering operational, engineering and mitigation studies in support of port expansion at the former Charleston Navy Base.
A permitting decision on the three-berth, 288-acre container terminal is expected by August 2006.
Moffatt & Nichol will work on a terminal development plan covering various operational and engineering studies. The work is not-to-exceed $1,385,700.
Operational studies will evaluate the various terminal operating styles, types of container handling equipment, levels of automation and container yard configurations to maximize the potential of the terminal.
Engineering work will include the determination of design criteria for all aspects of the terminal facilities, such as site stabilization, containment structures, support facilities and site utilities. Engineering studies will also evaluate the various construction techniques, construction phasing and contracting options (design-bid-build, design-build).
Newkirk Environmental of Charleston will develop a comprehensive mitigation plan that will be provided to the Corps of Engineers for inclusion in the proposed container terminal's Environmental Impact Statement.
The consultant will review impacts and meet with the community and others to further define issues and concerns, resulting in a comprehensive mitigation plan to address all social and environmental impacts identified in the EIS. The first phase approved today is $200,000.
Earlier this year, the SCSPA Board approved a $4.9 million scope of work for development of the Environmental Impact Statement.
In other action, the Board also approved a contract for Han-Padron Associates to proceed with detailed design of the initial phase of an access control plan for SCSPA terminals. The project covers server, database and software portions of the project that will serve as the foundation for the future access control system. Federal grant funding of $1 million is available for the initial phase of the access control project.