Projects

Buffalo State College Great Lakes Center Dock and Launch Improvements

Union Concrete transformed the waterfront facilities at Buffalo State’s Great Lakes Center, constructing a new boat launch, rehabilitating the research dock, and rebuilding the shoreline to improve year-round access for Great Lakes research operations.

Project Type

Marine

Project Owner

SUNY College at Buffalo

Completion Year

2017

Contract Value

$380,691

Project Award

2017

Project Overview

Rebuilding Waterfront Access for Great Lakes Research

Union Concrete completed major waterfront improvements at Buffalo State’s Great Lakes Center Field Station along the Black Rock Canal. The project replaced the existing shallow boat launch with a deeper, steeper reinforced concrete ramp capable of accommodating larger research vessels during low-water conditions. Work also included rehabilitation of the existing dock, installation of a new floating dock, construction of an improved shoreline revetment, and removal of deteriorated concrete, steel, tires, old pilings, and other debris from the waterfront. Construction required a steel cofferdam and dewatering operations to allow excavation, reinforcement, and concrete placement below the normal water level.

project highlights

Key project highlights preformed.

Below-Water Concrete Construction

Installed a steel cofferdam and dewatered the work area to allow excavation and construction of the new reinforced concrete boat launch below the normal water level of the Black Rock Canal.

Research Vessel Launch Improvements

Replaced the existing shallow launch with a deeper, steeper concrete ramp designed to provide improved access for Buffalo State’s larger research vessels, particularly during periods of low water.

Dock & Shoreline Rehabilitation

Rehabilitated the existing 40-foot by 60-foot steel barge dock with a new concrete cap and added a 6-foot by 30-foot floating dock. The surrounding shoreline was cleared of deteriorated concrete, steel, tires, and other historic fill and rebuilt with a stable boulder revetment.