PORT OF LOS ANGELES RECEIVES TWO ‘2014 PROJECT OF THE YEAR’ AWARDS FROM AMERICAN PUBLIC WORKS ASSOCIATION
LA Waterfront Downtown Harbor and Berth 100 Wharf Project Recognized; Downtown Harbor Project Also Receives ‘Award of Merit’
from Engineering News Record
SAN PEDRO, Calif. — December 15, 2014 — Two Port of Los Angeles projects have been named a “2014 Project of the Year” by the Southern California Chapter of the American Public Works Association (APWA). The projects include the Berth 100 Wharf South Extension and Backland Development initiative, and the Port’s LA Waterfront Downtown Harbor Landside and Rail Improvement project.
In addition, trade industry publication Engineering News-Record (ENR) announced that the Port has won an “Award of Merit” for its Downtown Harbor project. The project won in the Landscape/Urban Development category of ENR’s “Best Projects” award program.
"I am so proud of the new San Pedro Downtown Harbor and am not surprised by these well-deserved awards,” said 15th District Los Angeles Councilman Joe Buscaino. “The LA Waterfront has become the event capital of Los Angeles because it is one of the most welcoming places in the region."
“We’re honored to be recognized for these exceptional, innovative Port improvement projects,” said Harbor Commission President Ambassador Vilma Martinez. “Congratulations to all our Port employees and partners who were instrumental in making these initiatives such celebrated successes.”
Officially unveiled in June of this year and considered a centerpiece project of the LA Waterfront in San Pedro, the Port’s Downtown Harbor Plaza and Town Square is located on 1.2 acres between the Los Angeles Maritime Museum and Fire Station 112. Previously a parking lot, the space was transformed into a new harbor inlet for recreational vessels. Surrounding the inlet is a public plaza and pedestrian promenade featuring trees and landscaping, decorative lighting, a picnic area and a Main Channel-overlook pier. Adjacent rail lines were also realigned to accommodate improvements.
As the third and final phase of the China Shipping terminal development program, the Berth 100 Wharf South Extension and Backland development project included construction of a 325-foot reinforced concrete wharf and 14 acres of PCC pavement backland. The Port’s existing Alternative Maritime Power (AMP) system – which allows ships to plug into clean power while at berth – was expanded to the site to allow for an additional berthed vessel to connect to shore-side “AMP” electrical power and enhance air quality.
The Southern California Chapter of APWA (Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino Counties) gives awards each year in recognition of outstanding capital improvement projects and public works programs by public agencies. This year’s awards were presented at the organization’s 15th Annual Public Works Awards Luncheon on December 11.
The ENR 2014 “Best Projects” awards honor the most outstanding design and construction efforts throughout the U.S. Awards are given out in 10 U.S. regions in 20 different categories. Each project entry is judged by independent panels for teamwork, success in overcoming challenges, and innovation and quality. The region comprised of California and Hawaii was deemed the most competitive this year, receiving more than 140 total award entries, significantly more than any other region.
Engineering News-Record is a weekly news magazine and website providing news and features about projects, products and people in the construction industry around the U.S. The publication presented its “Best Project” awards to winning teams in the southern half of California at the Marriott Hotel in Long Beach on December 4.
The Port of Los Angeles is America’s premier port and has a strong commitment to developing innovative strategic and sustainable operations that benefit the economy as well as the quality of life for the region and the nation it serves. As the leading seaport in North America in terms of shipping container volume and cargo value, the Port generates more than 830,000 regional jobs and $35 billion in annual wages and tax revenues. The Port of Los Angeles – A cleaner port. A brighter future.