Santa Cruz The city of Santa Cruz said Thursday afternoon that the Santa Cruz Wharf is structurally sound and will reopen to the public on Saturday following the completion of a structural assessment following the collapse of approximately 150 feet of the structure’s south end into the ocean on December 23.
The city said that a recent sonar and technical evaluation, carried out by the engineering firm Moffatt and Nichol, had determined that the Wharf was safe to reopen.
According to a statement from Santa Cruz Parks and Recreation Director Tony Elliot, Moffat and Nichol did not see any damage to the Wharf’s structural capability outside of the storm-affected region and observed that it is still as strong as it was prior to the storm. Bents (substructures) 169, 170, and 171, which are the narrowest sections that are still walled off at the extreme end of the Wharf, do have some damage.
The heavy machinery that fell into the ocean and the south end of the Wharf are safely away from the structure and do not present a problem, according to a sonar scan of the sea floor.
According to a statement from Santa Cruz City Manager Matt Huffaker, Pioneer and wharf contractor Power Engineering Construction collaborated to find their heavy equipment that fell into the ocean on December 23 using an ocean sonar search. The three pieces of heavy equipment have been found. The crane and a skid steer are now in the water at a safe distance from the Wharf and will be marked with a buoy tomorrow to notify others of their locations. A skiff washed ashore on the beach and is secured.
The sonar scans and Pioneer’s findings were also examined by the U.S. Coast Guard. According to U.S. Coast Guard Marine Safety Specialist Response Francis Schian, this sonar scan displays the 35T RT crane, pile driving hammer, and leads. The crane was situated at a safe distance of around 160 feet southeast of the Wharf’s crumbled face. At the moment, the crane is immobile and jammed.
The city is holding a ceremony at the Wharf Stage Area at 10 a.m. to commemorate the reopening. Public is welcome to attend the ceremony, which will include remarks from Santa Cruz city officials. Please take note that only pedestrians will be able to enter Stagnaro’s, and cars will not be allowed to drive past Marini’s Candies.
Mayor Fred Keeley of the City of Santa Cruz stated, “We recognize that Wharf business owners are keen to get back to business for the public.” To help our local businesses during these difficult times, please come to the reopening ceremony. Let’s work together to maintain the health of Santa Cruz companies.
To stay informed and receive updates, check out the city’s social media accounts.
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