Currently under construct, residents will see the popular Arthur F. Dias Town Landing looking a bit new and improved this summer as it undergoes nearly $1 million in renovations, according to Harbormaster Steve Melo.

The project is part of the Padanaram Harbor Management Plan, which was created between 2017 to 2019 and details hundreds of goals on more than a dozen different topics including water quality, land use, fishing and public access.

Awarded approximately $899,780 to complete the project, Patrick Rezendes of Foth Infrastructure & Environment said construction began in between Christmas Day and the new year, focusing on the resiliency of the pier. 

Funding for the project was provided by a Seaport Economic Council grant, with a 20% match from the town.

In the masterplan, officials detailed the improvements they deemed necessary for the pier to see in the coming years, especially in regard to climate planning. 

Rezendes said the pier will be raised approximately a foot and a half to accommodate for the predicted rises in sea level.

The pier will also be extended out to 75 feet, allowing for deeper dockage, “with a little change in direction to kind of face the waves better,” he said, adding there will be a floating dock at the end, along with side floats, to help increase stability when birthing recreational vessels.

Though initially set to begin construction at the end of September, he said the construction company faced a number of challenges with equipment not working and getting everything through the narrow opening of the bridge. 

Construction is anticipated to be completed by the end of February, with no fear of major winter delays, according to Rezendes. With the floats set to be delivered next week, he believes there should be no issue getting the water work completed on schedule. 

“The work continued throughout the strong winds this weekend and all of the pier piles have now been installed,” said Melo. “Work is progressing at a rapid pace despite the arrival of winter.”

According to Melo’s engineering team, mariners are advised that AGM Marine Contractors, Inc. will be conducting pile driving for the extension of the fixed pier as well as installing new floating docks in the Apponagansett Bay. Landside improvements will be constructed from the parking lot and waterside construction activities will be constructed from a floating barge.

As of Jan. 3, a temporary fence has been installed around the existing pier and access to the existing pier is restricted at this time. The contractor will be installing timber piles for the pier extension from the barge, prior to beginning demolition of the existing pier structure.