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Construction Flaws and Their Implications

The retaining wall at the pier, known as the toe wall, has steel pilings bent during installation. The transportation corridor also has problems due to incorrect soil fill. Correcting these issues will cost at least several million dollars and could climb into the tens of millions if more extensive work is needed. The ongoing use of the pier as a staging ground for offshore wind projects is adding to the complexity and delay of the repairs.

Officials believe Kiewit, the construction manager, should be responsible for fixing the mistakes as they oversaw the construction and won bids to build large portions. However, Kiewit has stated that the issues can be traced to site conditions not matching the contract and that they have been communicating and working with the Port Authority to address the unexpected conditions.

Cost Implications and Political Backlash

If the Port Authority has to pay for the fixes, it could consume the remaining budget of approximately $1.7 million. Temporary fixes on the toe wall could cost around $1.1 million, and additional pilings in a 4,000-square-foot section might cost $1.5 million. A full rebuild of the toe wall could cost around $17 million, and if the transportation corridor needs to be rebuilt, the cost will be significantly higher.

Republican lawmakers have been critical of the project's ballooning price, and the news of additional costs at the State Pier has drawn their scorn. Sen. Heather Somers expressed frustration, stating that families are struggling with basic expenses and questioning where the money could have gone. The Port Authority and the state are now in a difficult position, having invested hundreds of millions in the project.

Responsibility and Negotiations

Whitescarver emphasized that the segments needing reengineering or rebuilding represent a small portion of the overall project and that identifying flaws during construction is common. Both sides need to agree on the engineering solutions to bring the pier to full design requirements. The spokesperson for Gov. Ned Lamont believes Kiewit should be responsible for the fixes, as the renovation of the pier is an important economic engine.

Even with the construction issues, Ørsted has been able to use the facility to ship turbine components. The Port Authority officially celebrated the "substantial completion" of the pier in June, but since then, concerns about non-compliance with the original design specifications have emerged. Board members have been quick to argue that Kiewit should bear the cost of the mistakes.

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