About the Presentation: The Mid-Chesapeake Bay Island Ecosystem Restoration Project (Mid-Bay Project) is a federal and state partnership between the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Baltimore District and the Maryland Port Administration (MPA). The Mid-Bay Project will restore remote island habitats near James and Barren Islands in Dorchester County, using dredged material from the Chesapeake Bay’s Maryland navigation channels. The restoration will provide habitat for a variety of wildlife species, enhance shoreline protection and recreation activities, and assist with maintaining navigational safety.

Construction of the Mid-Bay Project started in 2022 and will continue for the next 10-15 years. The project will support dredged material placement for approximately 30 years. This presentation will provide an overview of the project.

About the Speaker: Alex Baldowski, P.E. is a Civil Engineer with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Baltimore District located in Baltimore, MD. He has worked at USACE for 18 years and is the Chief of the Foundations and Dam Section. Alex’s project experience includes construction management, ecosystem restoration, levee and dam inspections, surveying, and marine construction. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering from Pennsylvania State University and a Master’s Degree in Civil Engineering from Johns Hopkins University.

Please note, registration closes on THURSDAY, November 5th at 12PM.

Music, dinner, dessert, donations, community, and life member recognition

Please consider bringing a new, unwrapped toy to donate to Toys For Tots!

Timeline:

Cocktail & Social Hour (6-7 PM)

Dinner: (7-7:45 PM)

Life Member Recognition (7:45 PM)

Dress: Business Professional (with some holiday flair! 😊)

Parking:

• Nearby paid on-street parallel parking

• Parking garage at 601 N Calvert St

• Paid lot at 520 N Charles St

• Paid lot at Walters Art Museum Lot (600 Cathedral St)

Please note the updated pricing information, and that registration closes on Thursday, December 3rd at 12PM!

Speakers: Gus Fotinos (GFT) & Gunaratnam Gnana (DW Kozera)

Abstract: Tradepoint Atlantic (TPA) embarked on an ambitious journey in 2014 by acquiring the Bethlehem Steel Mill in Sparrows Point, Maryland, with a vision to rejuvenate the 3,300-acre property into a vibrant multi-modal transportation hub. This endeavor included the reconstruction of a berth and the development of adjacent lands to support the burgeoning US offshore wind industry.

The selected inner berth, once dedicated to bulk material handling for the former steel mill, proved to be an ideal candidate for repurposing due to its robust infrastructure and strategic location. With adjacent lands primed for supporting various facilities, including stockpiles, manufacturing sites, and warehouses, the stage was set for a transformative project.

Originally constructed in the early 1900s, the berth presented structural complexities, comprising three sections with anchored steel or concrete sheet pile bulkheads. The presence of blast furnace slag as primary fill material posed unique challenges, compounded by soft clay soils beneath the surface.

GFT undertook the task of designing structural improvements to ensure the berth and surrounding areas could withstand a 3,000 PSF live load capacity and accommodate heavy-duty cranes and transportation equipment. Innovative techniques, such as pre-augering the slag layer for pile installation, were employed to overcome the density-related constraints.

The comprehensive process, initiated in 2018, encompassed surveying, permitting, civil and structural engineering design, and construction oversight. TPA's collaboration with the local government of Baltimore County resulted in securing a $20M Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grant from the US Department of Transportation, catalyzing the transformation of the former ore dock into a pivotal shipping port on the East Coast.

The completed improvements enable the seamless transportation and storage of diverse cargo types, including break bulk, dry bulk, offshore wind components, and roll-on/roll-off (RO/RO) cargo, heralding a new era of industrial revitalization and multi-modal connectivity.

Furthermore, TPA's strategic positioning south of the Francis Scott Key Bridge places it at the forefront of Baltimore's maritime infrastructure development. The recent accident underscores the critical need for alternative access points to the Federal Shipping Channel. TPA's expedited expansion as a container terminal, supported by the State, presents a timely solution to alleviate supply chain disruptions and maintain Baltimore's status as a prominent deep-water port on the East Coast.

As industries evolve and embrace sustainability, the transformation of industrial landmarks into multi-modal transportation hubs holds significant promise for enhancing regional economic competitiveness and fostering environmental stewardship. Through collaborative efforts and adaptive engineering strategies, similar projects can unlock the latent potential of industrial landscapes, driving prosperity and resilience in coastal communities worldwide.

In conclusion, the revitalization of the steel mill ore dock at Tradepoint Atlantic represents a paradigm shift in urban redevelopment, demonstrating how thoughtful planning, innovative engineering, and strategic partnerships can breathe new life into dormant industrial assets. As the global maritime industry navigates towards a more sustainable future, initiatives like these serve as beacons of progress, guiding the transformation of ports and waterfronts into vibrant, resilient, and interconnected spaces.

Timeline:

• 6:00 - 7:00 PM Networking & Social Hour

• 7:00 - 7:45 PM Dinner

• 7:45 - 9:00 PM PDH Presentation

Dress: Business Professional

Parking:

• Nearby paid on-street parallel parking

• Parking garage at 601 N Calvert St

• Paid lot at 520 N Charles St

• Paid lot at Walters Art Museum Lot (600 Cathedral St)

Please note, registration closes on THURSDAY, January 7th at 12PM.