UPDATE: Port to start test pile-driving at West Seattle’s Terminal 5 on Saturday

11:09 AM: We’ve just checked with the Port of Seattle for the status of what it announced before Christmas – that a contractor would soon start driving test piles at Terminal 5 in West Seattle, as it gears up for the modernization project – about two months work to install “about 27 piles … at the edge of the Terminal 5 wharf.” The announcement added, “Once installed, some of the piles will be tested using a method known as rapid-load testing. The testing sounds like a half-second cannon shot. The sound can be as loud as 145 decibels at a distance of 50 feet. Nine tests are planned, with no more than one test per day.” We called port spokesperson Peter McGraw this morning to ask if the work was still set to start this week as the December announcement had said; he says the contractor tells them it’ll begin “within a few days.” The T-5 modernization project, expected to have a nine-digit price tag, is intended to make the terminal able to handle “megaships”; as reported by the Tacoma News-Tribune a week ago, one such ship is likely to visit Harbor Island’s T-18 next month.

11:27 AM: Update from the port: McGraw says, “Pile installation is scheduled to occur between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. on Saturday and between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. on Monday in compliance with the City of Seattle’s noise ordinance.”

anonyme January 7, 2016 (12:49 pm)

Per NIH and other websites, these noise levels are extremely dangerous regardless of duration. While the tests may fall within times allowed by Seattle’s noise ordinance, they pose a serious threat to public health and safety. Ridiculous that so little is done to protect the very citizens expected to pay for this latest boondoggle.

j January 7, 2016 (1:12 pm)

This is great news and so vital to the economy of this region.
The trade industry supports many jobs beyond the fences of the terminals.

Neighbor January 7, 2016 (1:32 pm)

They haven’t even done the environmental report! So the Port is ok with releasing toxic PCBs into our water. They are ok with allowing over 40lbs of pollution for every ship that will be docked.
Wake up West Seattle! The surrounding neighborhoods in Long Beach, CA sued and won to force the port to provide the environmental protections so that their families wouldn’t get sick.

How many people are going to get sick from these ships? In my little neighborhood we have over 7 dogs with cancer with in a two block radius. Multiple people with lung cancer and a mutlitude of other cancers. Adults who grew up here are beginning to report cancers.We are hearing Pigeon Hill is having similar issues. Do we have clusters of cancers?

Your kids deserve to be protected.

cb January 7, 2016 (1:48 pm)

Yes, 145 dB is dangerously loud, but the inverse square law is your friend. The level drops quickly as you move further away.

“The mathematical relationship between intensity and distance is sometimes referred to as an inverse square relationship. The intensity varies inversely with the square of the distance from the source. So if the distance from the source is doubled (increased by a factor of 2), then the intensity is quartered (decreased by a factor of 4). Similarly, if the distance from the source is quadrupled, then the intensity is decreased by a factor of 16.”

http://www.physicsclassroom.com/class/sound/Lesson-2/Intensity-and-the-Decibel-Scale

Sevenless January 7, 2016 (2:23 pm)

@Neighbor, these neighborhoods are also quite close to the steel mill, the concrete factories, and a lot of other industry along the Duwamish corridor. The port project is an easy target right now (and deserves more environmental attention), but don’t be blind to the myriad other industrial sources nearby when claiming potential correlations.

Neighbor January 7, 2016 (2:49 pm)

@sevenless, agreed which is why we need an environmental review that includes all these inputs. No lives a bubble, how are we to know toxicity of combined pollution? The cumulative effects need to be studied before a new permit is issued. Don’t we deserve a safe neighborhood for our families?

wscommuter January 7, 2016 (3:03 pm)

@anonyme … curious – what, exactly, is the “boondoggle” you’re referring to? The conversion of T5 into a more productive port facility? Or am I misunderstanding you?

Paul January 7, 2016 (3:15 pm)

These are just test piles, used to gather data to support the design.

wetone January 7, 2016 (4:36 pm)

Looks to me like one more Seattle project (T5)that will be built no matter how Seattle tax payers feel. Port of Seattle is one of the biggest subsidized ports in the US, maybe it’s time to change that. No reason for Port to improve efficiency when so largely funded by tax payers. Still have not heard any talk about who will be funding railroad improvements: tracks and new rail bridge ? taxpayers ? One big boondoggle will be added traffic through out area. Lower bridge traffic and surface streets in area are bad now when ships are in, add T5 traffic and area will be gridlock pushing more vehicles back to upper bridge (WSFWY). Noise from trains (horns), light pollution and much more. Not good for anyone living or trying to leave or come to WS.

martin January 7, 2016 (4:39 pm)

Zangief is in town?

patricia davis January 8, 2016 (9:07 am)

We have protested this to DPD as see this pile ‘testing’ has starting work early. The online petition requesting an EIS (Enviromental Impact Statement that would study – in advance – the impact of Terminal 5) was signed by over 200 people and presented to DPD in Sept. of 2015. An EIS is required (thankfully) That EIS is supposed to look at the impact of the Terminal 5 including long term impacts of noise and air pollution (both of which have been significant and unresolved in the past) With the piling “tests” It seems very likely the piling manufacturer knows perfectly well what the sound will be. 27 piling and months of pile driving seems to exceed a ‘test’. Yes, the rapid testing at 145 Db is a sound level (which we mention that 145 Db will be 50 feet away from the ‘hit’ so the source of the hit is much louder) is dangerous to hearing (including wildlife) OSHA cites that 140 Db is “threshold of pain”. We also know that hearing damage can occur from even one super loud sound. Keep in mind this is going to be a long project (with pile driving potentially for 1 -2 years) and also many ‘unknowns’ about who will be the tenant down there and what noise and air pollution will take place with the MASSIVE EXPANSION. We residents know that sound travels – massively – with Elliott Bay and the ‘hard, bouncing’ of sound from the downtown buildings. West Seattle has a petition online asking for air quality and excessive noise protection. This gives you an example of why that petition was started. Please sign up at http://www.terminal5group.com and also complain about noise problems. You can get on record with the Port for noise complaints online (so you can keep a record) at the PORT EMAIL of: Terminal5_Outreach@portseattle.org but don’t expect much, if any, remedy. The Port is an arrogant bully. Please note the underscore behind Terminal5_ (underscore) BEST IS TO COMPLAIN TO THE CITY OF SEATTLE DIRECTLY by emailing the top person at noise enforcement: Dan.Goodman@seattle.gov

Also please sign the petition to protect our community, permanently, from air pollution (massive diesel from trucks, trains, heavy equipment) and excessive noise (including at night). We are in for some nasty stuff. Please sign the petition AND complain to DPD’S Dan Goodman. Keep a record of your complaints. Keep an eye on updates at the FB page of http://www.facebook.com/terminal5impactscoming as well as our wonderful west seattle blog.
In case you don’t know: Terminal 5 is going to be the ‘go to’ terminal for both Seattle and Tacoma. We are in for a scale of polluting activity you can’t imagine. Speak up and get the petition signed so that no matter what they ‘put’ down there – we have some air quality measurements and complaint methods to protect us from toxins that will most CERTAINLY be substantial and night noise that historically has exceed legal limits. Please go to http://www.terminal5group.com and speak up – often. We are working hard – so please help out. Patricia Davis, North Admiral

JIm January 8, 2016 (9:47 am)

People need to start paying attention to how much diesel pollution is going to be coming into your neighborhoods from these ships idling at Terminal 5. The Port is refusing to install Shore Power to eliminate that poisoning. Even though every other West Coast port is installing Shore Power to protect their neighbors.

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