Port Of Oakland Drive Lane Settlement Repair

The Challenge

Settlement of drive lane affecting crane operations.

The drive lane for gantry crane wheel paths at the Port of Oakland had settled between ½ inch to 4 inches, creating a significant safety hazard and difficulty in aligning cargo. This settlement needed to be addressed quickly to avoid further operational disruptions. Additionally, repairs had to be completed during business hours without interfering with ongoing port operations, which added a layer of complexity to the project.

Key Facts

The Solution

Soil densification with polymer and precise coordination.

Groundworks began by conducting Dynamic Cone Penetration (DCP) tests to assess soil density, finding densification was needed at a depth of -2.5 feet. Based on this information, Groundworks injected its proprietary polymer into the soil to densify it, which increased the weight-bearing capacity and allowed the pavement to be lifted back to grade. Groundworks worked closely with the Port of Oakland to identify the most affected areas and design a tailored solution. The injection process was carefully planned to minimize disruption and ensure the port’s operations continued without interruption.

The Impact

Successful pavement leveling with minimal downtime.

The project successfully leveled the pavement back to its original grade, restoring the functionality of the crane drive lanes and eliminating the safety hazard. The use of the fast-curing polymer allowed for only 15 minutes of cure time, enabling the pavement to be used almost immediately after the injection. This quick turnaround mitigated the need for pavement replacement, saving the Port of Oakland significant costs and avoiding extensive operational downtime.