After Hurricane Ivan severely damaged the Alabama Gulf State Park Pier in 2004, the state decided to build a new fishing pier made of concrete. Thompson Engineering was called on for design and construction administration services for the new pier, with a concession area, restroom facilities, and a roadway and parking area. Our design won the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) Alabama Engineering in Excellence Award in 2010.
The Pier
At 20-feet wide and 1,512-feet long, the Gulf State Park Pier accommodates anglers and many others. Its precast bridge deck panels, constructed 20-feet above mean sea level, also support emergency vehicles, when needed. Amenities mark the pier’s design, from the entrance to the end. They include landside restrooms, showers, four ADA compliant fishing stations, restrooms at the middle of the pier, bicycle access, water intake, and security cameras.
Concession and Parking
The pier’s concession building is located on the west side of the pier and includes a snack area, retail space, large bathroom facilities and of course, a bait shop. The 8,079 square foot concession space connects with a covered eating area on the east side of the pier. Bikes, cars and RV/bus parking are all convenient to the concession area and pier.
Turtle Friendly Design
The entire area lighting was designed with turtles in mind. On the pier, low lighting is turtle-friendly. Tinted glass on the concession area, high-pressure sodium (HPS) lights in the parking and roadway areas, and a fence reduce confusion for just-hatched sea turtles.
client
ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION & NATURAL RESOURCES
location
GULF SHORES, ALABAMA
market
STATE & LOCAL
Service Specialties
- CIVIL
- STRUCTURAL
- GEOTECHNICAL
- MARINE
- SURVEYING
- ARCHITECTURE
