Marine Construction Noise
Beginning in 2000, I&R has been involved in studies to monitor underwater noise resulting from piledriving on several projects in the San Francisco Bay Area and other parts of the country utilizing differing pile types, hammers, and sound attenuation systems. Typically, the monitoring was completed in response to orders prepared by NOAA Fisheries.
In 2005, Caltrans and I&R received the Environmental Excellence Award from FWHA for the application of bubble-curtain technology used on the San Francisco Bay Bridge to minimize underwater noise impacts on endangered fish species. In 2007, the firm completed its technical contribution to the Caltrans Underwater Pile Driving Guidance Manual with a compendium of underwater noise data for driving different types of piles and in a variety of underwater environments. Some of the other projects I&R has conducted investigating noise from underwater pile driving include:
- San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge (I-80)
- Benicia-Martinez Bridge (I-680)
- Richmond-San Rafael Bridge (I-580)
- Mad River Brudge in Eureka/Arcata (US 101)
- 10 Mile Bridge Replacement near Ft. Bragg (Highway 1)
- Point Isabel Foundation Repair, Emeryville
- Concord Naval Weapons Stations Pier 2
- Amports Pier 95 Reconstruction, Benicia