New pier built despite challenges

Design meets standards of public and nature

Earlier this year, more than 2,000 people—young and old alike—flocked to the grand opening of the Juno Beach Fishing Pier in Juno Beach, Fla. Many of the people who strolled across the nearly 1,000-foot-long pier held signs reading "We’re here for the pier!" Many others came with fishing poles in hand.

The grand opening of the pier represented the conclusion of 10 years of planning, construction and controversy.

The new $2.1 million pier replaces the old Juno Pier, which was destroyed by a hurricane in 1984. The Palm Beach County Parks and Recreation Department was responsible for selecting a site for the new pier. They settled on a slice of land at the Juno Beach Park located between Juno Beach and Jupiter, Fla.

Murphy Construction Co. of West Palm Beach, Fla., was selected to serve as the contractor for the pier project. Hanson Engineers was chosen to provide design, threshold inspection and construction administration services.

"From the time this project was announced, we knew we wanted to design this pier," says Bobby Chilton, Hanson Engineers’ project manager. "Once we were selected, it became a labor of love. The challenge was to design this pier according to the standards of permitting and to those of nature," he adds.

Project presents many challenges

As Chilton discovered, designing the pier presented not only engineering challenges but ecological and environmental ones as well.

"One of the challenges we faced early on was determining how far apart to space the pilings. The spacing we chose would affect the amount of sand that would buildup near the waterline and the pier," notes Chilton.

Chilton and other members of the project team also had to consider what materials could withstand an aggressive ocean environment. When writing specifications for the concrete, they determined that a dense consistency of concrete would better resist corrosion.

Many ecological issues were also associated with this project. County officials, contractors and Hanson Engineers agreed to follow stringent standards to ensure the safety of the beach’s shoreline and animal species which make it their habitat and breeding ground.

Sea turtles were among the animal species protected by these standards. Every year beginning in March and continuing through October, sea turtles crawl out of the ocean to lay their eggs on the beach.

To ensure that the construction of the pier did not disrupt the turtle’s nesting season, work began from the shoreline and proceeded outward.

Another ecological concern was the belief that pier fishing attracted sharks and snook. These two fish species are commonly known to pursue sea turtles. However, studies conducted by Palm Beach County indicated that sharks migrate to the waters near South Florida in August or September whether or not there is a fishing pier.

After addressing many of the ecological issues, county officials listened to concerns voiced by environmental groups. These groups were concerned that the area surrounding the new pier could face potential environmental damage. Hanson Engineers’ pier design included elements that would help alleviate possible beach erosion.

Pier features several amenities

Furthermore, the pier was designed and built according to the Americans with Disabilities Act, and has more than 2,000 feet of timber safety railing. It was also constructed to accommodate emergency vehicles and other construction equipment. Specially designed recessed, amber lights illuminate the pier. The subdued lighting is designed not to misdirect sea turtle hatchlings, which instinctively crawl toward light after hatching at night.

The pier also features shade structures, benches, fish-cleaning tables and a 660-square-foot bait shop.

"While we faced many challenges during this project, the ultimate satisfaction is knowing that the pier is a structure people will enjoy for years to come," says Chilton.

The 990-foot, T-shaped Juno beach Fishing Pier opened to the public in January

"From the time this project was announced, we knew we wanted to design this pier. Once we were selected, it became a labor of love."

—Bobby Chilton

The 990-foot-long pier is 22 feet wide and features a 72-foot "T" end. The pier rises 20 feet above the ocean and includes three pile bents located at 30-foot spans. Says Chilton, "The pier was designed as a blowout system, meaning that the pier’s deck sections will snap away from the pier’s pile caps and beams during heavy storms. This system will help ensure that the pilings and structure remain intact."