“The Port of Oshawa is really coming into its own,” said
Donna Taylor, CEO of the Oshawa Port Authority (OPA).
“The wharf and rail spur were constructed concurrently
– but were completely separate projects. While they will
ultimately complement each other, they are stand-alone
projects.”
In 2014, OPA managed more than $9 million in operating
and capital expenditures, with the rail spur and east wharf
consolidation project among the largest capital expenditures.
This past year of growth and expansion has benefited
port workers, resulting in more permanent full-time hours
for crews who are handling rising cargo volumes.
Annually, the Port of Oshawa handles $23 million worth of
cargo – from salt and steel products to asphalt and grain. The
port’s movement of cargo supports nearly 300 jobs and raises
$6 million in federal and provincial taxes.
Since the opening of this year’s shipping season in April,
bulk cargo volumes through the port have increased by an
unprecedented 93 per cent over the same timeframe last year.
PROJECT SPOTLIGHT
Relocation of industrial uses
It was in 2010 that the City of Oshawa, Transport Canada and
OPA came to an agreement to relocate the heavy industrial
uses of the west wharf of the port to the east wharf.
This would consolidate existing operations on the east
side, but require a significant upgrade to the east dock face.
W.F. Baird & Associates produced the final port design,
and OPA gave award of the contract to Hamilton-based
Bermingham Foundation Solutions in late May 2014.
Bermingham began work on the $7.4 million east wharf
project in June 2014 (the company was not involved in the
rail spur project).
“Work on the east wharf was completed in early August
2015 with a four-month winter shut-down period,” said Mark
Reinders, EIT of Bermingham. “All scheduled milestones
have been successfully achieved. In fact, work was completed
five months prior to the final milestone deadline.”
Bermingham acted as general contractor and completed
the excavation, grading, combi-wall installation, tieback
Mid-construction
“Work on the east wharf was completed in early August 2015
with a four-month winter shut-down period. All scheduled
milestones have been successfully achieved. In fact, work was
completed five months prior to the final milestone deadline.”
— Mark Reinders, EIT, Bermingham Foundation Solutions
PHOTOS COURTESY OF BERMINGHAM FOUNDATION SOLUTIONS
PILING CANADA 37