High Speed Ferry Terminal

AI is providing structural design services as well as mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and fire protection design and for this new high-speed pedestrian ferry terminal project. This new ferry terminal will be located at the Bridgeport Port Authority’s existing Water Street dock and terminal facility to the north of the existing Port Jefferson ferry terminal facility. It is directly accessible from Water Street via a pedestrian and vehicle tunnel under the adjacent raised Metro-North railroad right-of-way and Bridgeport station platforms. In addition, a pedestrian stairway allows access from the eastern Bridgeport station platform to the Water Street dock level adjacent to the new pedestrian ferry building. The new pedestrian ferry terminal will facilitate travel from New York-based pedestrian ferry service to the Bridgeport area. It will permit interconnections with Metro-North and Amtrak rail services and nearby bus service.   

A major portion of the structural design is to ensure the new facility will not adversely impact this existing dock structure. In addition, the support piers for the overhead I-95 bridge structure crossing the Pequonnock River are located along the dock edge in the general location of the new facility. The structural and architectural design wraps around theses piers while maintaining access to them for inspection and maintenance.

Due to FEMA requirements, the new terminal structure will be storm and flood resistant and will be elevated above the local 100-year flood level. The terminal will be constructed on top of the existing over water concrete dock. 

In addition to structural services, design of the new electrical lighting and power systems, plumbing systems, and heating and cooling systems for the new building are part of our scope of work. Although not required by code, an automatic fire sprinkler and fire alarm system is also part of the design.

As lead designer for the building, AI is responsible for retaining and managing the architect for the project. Coordination of the structural requirements of the site with the architectural elements of the building is a major consideration in the design.

The entire design package and specifications meets ConnDOT and City of Bridgeport standards.