The Town of Long Island
Mariner’s Wharf Project:
Need, Summary, Next Steps, History & Schedule for repairs for Long Island’s gateway
March 7, 2024
PROJECT OVERALL NEED
Mariner’s Wharf is a critical public structure that serves as Long Island’s connection to the Casco Bay ferry lines and the mainland. It provides Long Island access to emergency medical transportation, fuel, food provisions, and social connection. Over the years the wharf has suffered damage that needs to be addressed.
Ongoing repairs to Mariner’s Wharf have been in the works since 2017. The current wave screens were installed in 1996 and a need for an updated wave screen was identified by MDOT in 2022 as a necessary project to protect the future structural integrity of the wharf.
The recent January storms have only further demonstrated the urgent need for the wave screen project construction plans to commence.
PROJECT SUMMARY TO DATE
The multiyear improvement project to Mariner’s Wharf began in 2017 with the installation of a new ramp and floats. The construction of a new 40-foot wave break extension was also completed. The last phase of the improvement project includes extending the recently constructed wave break to ensure the safety of commuting passengers, medical patients, and volunteer emergency response personnel loading into the rescue boat.
At the beginning of March 2023, the Town of Long Island received the official letter of grant approval for the $477,000 for the wave screen project on Mariner’s Wharf from the Federal Community Funding Project.
Later that month, the town met with GEI consultants and MDOT to discuss certain structural repairs to Mariner’s Wharf. It was agreed that MDOT is responsible for certain structural components that would need to be addressed prior to the new wave screen installation. Copia contractors began steel pipe wrapping work for MDOT in April 2023 and finished up work in July 2023.
In July 2023 the Town submitted their initial SHIP grant application materials to MDOT for an additional $250,000 grant to support the wave screen project. In December 2023 MDOT approved the $250,000 SHIP grant for the FY26. MDOT is currently working on moving the grant money to their FY25 funding plan.
In January 2024 a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) application was submitted for the engineering and design work for the wave screen project for $68,000.
The town continues to meet compliance requirements for the $477,000 Federal Community Funding Project and is committed to matching and funding to reach the total project cost.
NEXT STEPS
The grant funding approved from MDOT in March 2023 and the SHIP grant approved in December 2023 need to be available for the town to utilize in order to kick off the wave screen project construction as soon as the engineering and design specifications are complete. Project construction is estimated to begin March 2025. The Town of Long Island stresses the urgent need to address the repairs to Mariner’s Wharf and to access their approved funding by the anticipated construction start in March 2025.
PROJECT HISTORY
January 2017: The multiyear improvement project to Mariner’s Wharf began.
March 2022: Town of Long Island identified a critical need for an extended wave screen and structural repairs to the wharf as the final phase of the multiyear improvement project.
March 2023: MDOT determined to be responsible for certain structural components that would need to be addressed prior to the new wave screen installation and funded by MDOT.
March 2023: Town of Long Island awarded grant for $477,000 from Federal Community Funding Project for engineering and design work for the wave screen.
April 2023: MDOT engaged contractors for steel pipe wrapping work on wharf – completed in July 2023.
July 2023: Town of Long Island submitted SHIP grant application materials to MDOT for a $250,000
December 2023: MDOT approved the $250,000 SHIP grant but funds are not available until FY26
January 2024: Town of Long Island submitted their CDBG funding application for the completion of the multiyear improvements to Mariner’s Wharf.
PROJECT SCHEDULE
May 2024: CDGB Grant Award
June 2024: Execution of CDBG Grant
July 2024: Public notice of request for proposals
August 2024: Selection of Engineering/ Design firm and meeting with town and selected firm
August- October 2024: Development of Engineering/ Design Elements
November 2024- January 2025: Completion of detailed bid specifications and management of construction bid process
February 2025: Meeting with Waterfront Committee
March 2025: Project construction oversight
Compiled by Emma Morgan, Long Island Resilience Fellow, in collaboration with Town Administrator Brian Dudley, and Comprehensive Plan Chair Janice Avignon