Engineering report finds repair needs at Midwest Barge Terminal; consultant gives timeline and estimate details

Doug Bernau, a structural engineer with Willard Hoffman Associates, told the County Property Committee on July 11 that a 2023 inspection and follow-up April checks identified structural concerns at the Midwest Barge Terminal and produced a preliminary engineering report with recommended repairs.

Why it matters: The terminal is used commercially and supports heavy equipment; failing walls or bumpers risk safety, operational disruption and liability for the county.

Doug said, “The terminal is still in active use and, is a commercial asset for the for the county.” He described timber-facing walls that retain fill under a heavy concrete deck, said the sheet-pile walls themselves “came out with a clean bill of health” but recommended a reinforced concrete facing tied into the fill so the timber would act as formwork and to provide scour protection. He also recommended replacing timber bumpers and at least one birthing dolphin, and salvaging and repairing another where feasible.

Costs, timing and operations: The report included a preliminary engineering estimate that covers design, construction and a geotechnical investigation; when committee members asked whether the page‑8 figure was design-only, the consultant said it “includes design and construction.” The transcript contains inconsistent numeric references when committee members discussed terminal revenue and cost figures: one staff comment referenced a regular lease fee of “$1,500 per month,” an auditor was reported as saying “$30,000 so far this year,” another speaker’s remark in the transcript read “$3,030,000 so far this year,” and later a consultant or attendee said, “No. No. It's 284,000.” The committee should treat the transcript’s numeric references as inconsistent and verify all financial figures with finance staff.

On schedule, Doug told the committee that, if the county released the project to bid now, the team could be ready to bid in January 2026 and that construction of the core wall repairs would likely take about one construction season; when pressed about how many work days the terminal would be out of service, he estimated roughly 30 working days depending on river conditions.

Lease and use: Staff reported the existing barge lease runs with an original five‑year term and was extended; either party can exit on about 90 days’ notice per the transcript. Committee members discussed economic impacts beyond county rent; no formal action was taken to fund repairs.

Ending: The report and estimates will be used for future budget planning and may be refined with a geotechnical investigation and final design. The committee asked staff to verify current lease revenue and to weigh the terminal’s broader economic value as part of budgeting decisions.