HOUSTON, Aug. 25, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- The Port Commission of the Port of Houston Authority (PHA) will consider about $25 million for construction contracts and projects, including sound reduction and environmental matters, on Tuesday, Aug. 28, beginning at 9 a.m. in the board room of the PHA Executive Building, 111 East Loop North (Exit 29 off Loop 610) in Houston. Chairman Jim Edmonds will preside over the meeting with Commissioner Kase Lawal, Commissioner Steve Phelps, Commissioner Jim Fonteno, Commissioner Jimmy Burke, Commissioner Janiece Longoria and Commissioner Elyse Lanier.
JACINTOPORT MATTERS
(Agenda G1) The Commission is being asked to authorize awarding a construction contract to Laughlin-Thyssen, Inc., for replacement of the fender system at Jacintoport Terminal and associated expenditure authority, for $5,757,420. The new fender system will replace the timber system that has deteriorated.
BAYPORT MATTERS
(Agenda G2) The Commission is being asked to authorize awarding a construction contract to Reytec Construction Resources, Inc., for Bayport Marine Gate Expansion, Stage 2 - Civil and Electrical, for $2,173,750.The gate requires expansion to accommodate increased cargo volumes resulting from the completion of phase 1, stage 1, of the container yard in January 2008. The expansion of this gate is a part of the overall plan to develop Bayport's container terminal in response to capacity demand. Underground infrastructure is already in place, providing for minimal construction traffic and associated interruptions, while this portion of the project is being completed.
(Agenda G17) Commissioners are being asked to authorize a change order to Orion Construction, L.P., for Bayport Cruise Terminal Complex - Phase 1 wharf and dredging for $1,666,943. The change order will provide for 180,000 cubic yards of advanced dredging work. Electric dredge equipment will be used to provide reduced sound and air emissions as part of PHA's commitment to environmental quality and to accommodate the request of nearby residents. This phase of the project is expected to be completed by the end of October 2007.
(Agenda G24) Commissioners are being asked to authorize a contract amendment with HFP Acoustical Consultants for additional funds of up to $75,000 for the professional services of acoustical consulting and operating and maintaining the sound monitoring system for the Bayport Container and Cruise Terminal. The services also include assisting with the development and implementation of additional noise mitigation measures at the terminal. This will assist with the Shoreacres and La Porte mayors' request for a pilot program to address residents' responses to sound from the construction and operation of Bayport.
(Agenda K5) Commissioners are being asked to authorize advertisement and receipt of competitive sealed proposals for Bayport Phase 1 Wharf Advanced Dredging and Mooring at an estimated cost range of $8.5 million to $9 million. Additional mooring space is required at the current Bayport Container Terminal to accommodate longer ships. Necessary work includes dredging to the east and west of the wharves and construction of a new mooring point in each location. The specifications of this project include improved sound reduction measures for the dredge and supporting equipment and sound reduction plans for other equipment used during this project. These additional requirements are the port authority's commitment to its neighbors in Shoreacres and La Porte to reduce sound during the construction of the Bayport Terminal.
(Agenda K16) Commissioners are being asked to authorize a request for qualifications for professional engineering services for materials testing services for Bayport Terminal Complex wharf and dredging, Berth 3.
DREDGING MATTERS
(Agenda G9) Commissioners are being asked to authorize awarding a construction contract to T.W. LaQuay Dredging, Inc., for maintenance dredging of Woodhouse and Sims Bayou berthing areas for $1,400,000. Dredging is required to restore adequate draft to the berthing areas at the two terminals. This project is designed to permit ship carriers to deliver capacity loads in an efficient manner, allowing the port authority to retain its competitive advantage.
BARBOURS CUT MATTERS
(Agenda G11) Commissioners are being asked to authorize awarding a contract to Forklift Systems of Texas, Ltd., dba Mustang Industrial Equipment Company, for the purchase of five yard tractors for Barbours Cut Terminal for $395,000. After evaluating the competitive sealed proposals to determine the best value based on selection criteria, PHA determined that Forklift Systems of Texas, Ltd., dba Mustang Industrial Equipment Company, offered the best value. The new yard tractors will replace the 25-year-old tractors with tier-3 engines that are in keeping with the port authority's overall air emissions reduction plan.
(Agenda K6) Commissioners are being asked to authorize advertising and receipt of competitive sealed proposals for Morgan's Point sidewalk repaving, with a budget of up to $300,000. This community improvement project near the Barbours Cut Container Terminal will replace the existing asphalt sidewalk on East Main St. in Morgan's Point, and also provide additional public safety measures and recreational benefits as a part of the port authority's commitment to the Morgan's Point community.
(Agenda K7) Commissioners are being asked to authorize advertising and receipt of competitive sealed proposals for Morgan's Point sidewalks - Vinsonia, up to $150,000. This community improvement project near the Barbours Cut Container Terminal will construct a sidewalk along Vinsonia Ave. in Morgan's Point and also provide additional public safety measures and recreational benefits as a part of the port authority's commitment to the Morgan's Point community.
TURNING BASIN MATTERS
(Agenda K3) Commissioners are being asked to authorize advertising and receipt of competitive sealed proposals for splash zone painting at the Turning Basin - 2007, for up to $1,200,000. Various wharves at the Turning Basin Terminal were last painted in 2002 and some areas which were not painted then now require painting. The project consists of removing the old paint and rust from the existing bulkhead sheet piling and applying epoxy paint to extend the life of the structure.
GENERAL MATTERS
(Agenda M1) Commissioners are being asked to authorize execution of a new five-year agreement and funding to the National Oceanographic Service for the maintenance and oversight of the physical oceanographic real time system (P.O.R.T.S.) for fiscal years 2008-12 for $1,198,695. The system collects and disseminates oceanographic data to Masters, Pilots, the barge-towing industry and recreational boaters. The use of the system helps to prevent spills of hazardous materials and vessel grounding.
(Agenda M2) Commissioners are being asked to authorize paying the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers FY2008 cost-shared expenses for construction in and along the Houston Ship Channel totaling $6.1 million. Although the Corps' budget for FY2008 has not been approved by congress at this time, the PHA anticipates needing this amount to fulfill its 25-percent cost-sharing obligation for the construction work scheduled from October 2007 through September 2008. This project includes the construction of additional marsh capacity, increased upland capacity and channelizing and planting in previously constructed marshes. Upon completion of this phase of nearly 400 acres, more than 2,500 acres of habitat will have been restored as a part of the beneficial use program.
This news release is not a substitute for the official PHA agenda. To view the complete agenda, please visit: http://portofhouston.com/publicrelations/meetings.html
The Port of Houston Authority owns and operates the public facilities located along the Port of Houston, the 25-mile-long complex of diversified public and private facilities designed for handling general cargo, containers, grain and other dry bulk materials, project and heavy lift cargo, and other types of cargo. Each year, more than 7,000 vessels call at the port, which ranks first in the U.S. in foreign waterborne tonnage, second in overall total tonnage, and 10th largest in the world. The Port Authority plays a vital role in ensuring navigational safety along the Houston Ship Channel, which has been instrumental in Houston's development as a center of international trade. The Barbours Cut Container Terminal and Central Maintenance Facility are the first of any U.S. port facilities to develop and implement an innovative Environmental Management System that meets the rigorous standards of ISO 14001. Additionally, the port is an approved delivery point for Coffee "C" futures contracts traded on the New York Board of Trade's Coffee, Sugar & Cocoa Exchange.
For more information, please visit www.portofhouston.com
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