The Port of Portland was struggling with what to do with their Terminal 4 facility, an outdated grain export terminal. They hired VAA to assist in the closeout of an existing lease. There were struggles with maintaining a financially feasible grain export business at the facility due to the inability to receive shuttle trains into the Terminal. This created a competitive and economic disadvantage for an exporter at this site.  

The facility stood idle for quite some time. Then they selected VAA to perform a major utilization study for the site over a two-year period. We teamed up with PB World's Marine Structure Group in Portland, OR. They handled aspects associated with the in-water facilities and assisted VAA with the critical railroad issue.
Our rail group looked at layout options for rail at the site. Specifically, we looked at a bridge that spanned over the railroad tracks that Union Pacific uses to access the Terminal. There was a portal under the bridge that we studied. The bridge was on pilings. This meant it could excavate down to the level of the tracks and another access track. With other additions, two shuttle trains a day could land in the Terminal.

We developed Terminal upgrades and modernizations to meet the needs of a competitive export grain company. These upgrades were determined to cost approximately half the capital expense of a new facility.

Our civil group worked creatively to identify a solution to the rail option previously thought to be impossible. Additionally, a successful working relationship with PB World remained throughout the project and facilitated great solutions.