Augusta ? Project bids were received this morning at MaineDOT headquarters in Augusta for the contract to expand the International Marine Terminal on Commercial Street in Portland.
The apparent low bidder is Shaw Brothers Construction of Gorham, Maine, with a low bid of $8.6 million. This is approximately $900,000 or 9% less than the state?s estimated construction cost. When combined with engineering, property acquisition, and other costs, the total project cost stands at approximately $18 million.
The scope of the project is to expand the terminal westward to create a container storage area and bring new rail line into the expanded facility. Work will also include:
The installation of approximately 5,000ft. of railroad track from Cassidy Point Drive into the expanded facility.
Site improvements that will include grading, drainage, lighting, security features and electrical provisions for refrigerator containers.
Construction of a concrete loading slab approximately 750ft. long by 75ft. wide.
Modifications and improvements to Commercial Street, including signalization near Beech Street, street paving and striping, construction of a multi-use trail, tree-lined esplanade, crosswalks and landscaping.
?This is an exciting and important step toward connecting Maine businesses to the world,? said MaineDOT Commissioner David Bernhardt. ?Governor Paul LePage and I have worked closely with the Maine Port Authority to bring Eimskip, the Icelandic steamship company, to this port that they now call home.?
Eimskip is shipping goods to and from businesses throughout Maine, including seafood processors, boat builders, composites manufacturers, food processors, paper mills, beverage producers, biotech manufacturers, marine construction material manufacturers, retailers and many others.
It is anticipated construction will begin next month and continue in to the fall and winter as weather allows, with a completion date of the end of August in 2015.