California Construction News staff writer
The Port of Los Angeles has completed construction of the $22.7 million Berths 177-182 Wharf Restoration project, enhancing a key section of the East Basin Channel in Wilmington.
The project, approved by the Los Angeles Board of Harbor Commissioners in September 2023, broke ground in November and included the construction of approximately 382 linear feet of 62-foot-wide concrete wharf. Additional work involved slope erosion repairs and upgraded bollards.
Reyes/Larison Joint Venture of Pomona served as the construction contractor.
The new wharf replaces part of a timber structure that was severely damaged by fire in 2014. Built to meet the Port’s seismic standards, the new infrastructure is expected to improve long-term resiliency.
“The completion of this project on the heels of the catastrophic Eaton and Palisades fires is a stark reminder of the need to rebuild with long-term resiliency as a top priority,” said Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka. “We’re proud to deliver this key infrastructure project as steel-handling operations remain uninterrupted.”
Deputy Executive Director of Development Dina Aryan-Zahlan emphasized the importance of modernizing infrastructure with fire prevention in mind. “This Port is more than 100 years old; terminal modernization is essential to maintain our competitive edge,” she said.
The restoration supports continued operations for terminal operator Pasha Stevedoring & Terminals, which handles steel products such as coils of sheet metal, tubing, rebar and other bulk materials. The 40-acre facility features covered on-dock warehouses and a 116,000-square-foot transit shed. The Port of Los Angeles is the largest steel-handling port on the West Coast.
Pasha operates two marine terminals at the port, including the Green Omni Terminal, which serves as a demonstration site for zero- and near-zero emissions equipment and vehicles.
