Form Meets Function in Portsmouth
As part of its waterfront revitalization, the City of Portsmouth sought improved public access to its historic harbor, along with enhanced storm surge resistance and coastal resiliency. Prior to this upgrade, Portsmouth had limited downtown public access and in-demand views of the harbor.
An elegant but functional engineering design transformed a former parking area into Harborwalk Park. This visitor destination for fabulous harbor views includes a unique overlook pier designed for longevity and storm surge resistance. The 2,400-square-foot pier extends out into the Piscataqua River to offer a closer vantage point of the river’s daily activity and a fuller view of the harbor. Lighting and benches complete the structure that provides the community with passive recreational use.
The traditional shapes of ferry docks inspired the overlook pier triangular layout, which maximizes public space within the site constraints. In addition, the triangular layout helps resist longitudinal and lateral forces with continuous built-up side ranger beams integrated into the shoreline seawall. A reinforced concrete cap, and soil anchor tiebacks supplement these beams.
This two-phase project also included granite seawall repairs, and development of a landside park. A Transportation Enhancement grant received from the federal government, to encourage walking in the downtown, partially funded this project.
Services Snapshot
Tighe & Bond provided site/civil design, permitting, and construction phase services to the City of Portsmouth in support of this project. Our scope of work also included structural and geotechnical services.
