Railing failure closes breakwater again

Port Washington’s breakwater is closed again after the gateway suffered significant damage during fierce winter weather for the second consecutive year.

Public Works Director Rob Vanden Noven told the Common Council Tuesday that crews are still evaluating the damage, which was discovered when the snow began to melt.

The railing snapped in places during the winter, and the ramp was lifted out of place again, Vanden Noven said, adding it should be able to be moved back into place.

In addition, he said, the benches and garbage cans were damaged.

The damage has recurred every winter, he said, noting the breakwater suffered significant damage in a January gale last year.

“It seems to me somewhere along the way we underestimated the power of Mother Nature,” Ald. John Sigwart said. 

“It really looked nice when it was all together” but that corner of the breakwater “takes a beating” in winter, Sigwart said.

Vanden Noven said he will work with the city’s consultant, Foth Infrastructure and Environment, and the Army Corps of Engineers, which owns the breakwater, on some sort of plan to protect that area, perhaps a submerged jetty, from northeast waves.

Vanden Noven said he hopes to have officials from Foth at the council’s Tuesday, March 16, meeting to discuss the damage and potential repairs.

“Where did Foth fail in their design?” Mayor Marty Becker asked, referencing last winter’s damage.

“I would not be thrilled if there is any cost (for repairs),” Becker added.

Given the fact that damage has occurred repeatedly, Ald. Dan Benning said, the city may need to take additional measures.

“I think it’s time, in light of the damage we’ve had, to look at building some sort of structure or gating so we can limit public access (when the breakwater is damaged),” he said. “We need to figure out how to ensure the safety of the public.”

Ald. Paul Neumyer concurred, saying, “We have a duty to protect people.”

The breakwater will be closed until the damage is repaired, Vanden Noven said.

The repairs to the gateway aren’t the only breakwater work to be done this year.

Last fall Michels Corp. of Brownsville began work to improve the east end of the breakwater but paused during the winter.

Vanden Noven told aldermen Tuesday that the firm expects to start work again in May.

“They’re certainly waiting for calmer water,” he said.

The project calls for Michels to replace “loose, delaminated, broken concrete” along the easternmost 1,000 feet of the breakwater, anchor steel plating to the sides of the structure, install a new concrete base and finish the walkways with new concrete panels.

The $1.2 million contract calls for the work to be completed by June 30, 2021.