A popular New Port Richey fishing pier recently underwent major repairs after an inspection uncovered significant deterioration and rot in several of the timber pilings supporting the structure.
City staff discovered the damage during an inspection of the fishing pier at James E. Grey Preserve, which extends into the Pithlachascotee River. Because of low-water conditions this summer, they were able to see rot in the pilings that normally wouldn’t be as visible, said New Port Richey City Manager Debbie Manns.
“(The damage) was significant enough for us to close the fishing pier for a short period of time,” she said. “We wanted to be as prudent as we could, not because we thought there was a huge inherent risk, but out of an abundance of caution.”
SC Signature Construction LLC of Port Richey further evaluated the condition of the timber pilings and recommended the Snap Jacket pile restoration system — a repair method that reinforces the existing wood pilings with a protective PVC sleeve and concrete, strengthening the structure and helping shield the pilings from further deterioration and marine damage.
At the end of July, the company performed the restoration work, and the pier is currently back open to visitors, Manns said.
“It took the contractor less than 10 days to snap those jackets on and fill them with concrete,” she said. “That form of structural repair is actually stronger than the original timber. It will extend the service life of the pilings.”
According to the city, the Snap Jacket system also minimized disruption to the preserve and required fewer resources than a more extensive marine reconstruction. The cost of the project was just over $50,800.