Redevelopment of the New London State Pier into the First Operational United States-Based Offshore Wind Farm Terminal

The State Pier Complex is being redeveloped into an offshore wind support port that will become the first operational United States-based port of its kind. The site is uniquely positioned for the deployment of wind turbine installation vessels and offers the size and configuration that is sought after for these types of terminals. Redevelopment includes the creation of a single, large pier by constructing a new bulkhead between the existing piers and infilling between them, demolition of existing structures, construction of two heavy-lift relieving platforms that will support loads of up to 5,000 pounds per square foot (psf), and construction of several other new bulkhead walls. This paper presents the site history, subsurface conditions, construction, and geotechnical engineering challenges associated with the project.