The Maine Department of Transportation has awarded the bid for the Lubec Safe Harbor breakwater project to the lowest of two bidders, Gordon Contracting Inc. of Sangerville, for $25.7 million.
The Sargent Corporation of Orono bid a slightly higher amount of $26.7 million.
Both bids are significantly less than the amount of funding available for the project, since it was scaled back from its original design. However, the latest version of the project includes nearly 20 floats for berthing boats at the breakwater, which had not been in the design a couple of months ago.
The funding available totals $46.7 million, according to MDOT. In November 2019, $19.65 million had been awarded through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration, then an additional $10 million was secured in February 2023.
Now federal funding amounts to $44.65 million, after the MARAD grant agreement was updated on February 2 of this year, with the remainder of the funding being provided by MDOT and no funds coming from the town, according to Aurele Gorneau, project manager for MDOT.
The project, which had been put forward nearly 10 years ago, will include an approximately 600-foot-long breakwater constructed out of rock riprap, 17 floats for boats held by 15 steel piles, a 300-foot-long boat launch, parking for 20 vehicles and 14 vehicles with trailers, two bathrooms and six lights around the parking lot.
Construction is expected to take two years. Although a start date has not yet been determined, the completion date is set for June 30, 2028.
As for how the remaining $21 million will be used, MDOT spokesperson Andrew Gobeil says that has not yet been determined. Gobeil previously stated that the current design “allows for the possibility of additional features in the future if funding and operational needs support them.”
The first public airing of the Safe Harbor project was in September 2017, when Lubec voters at a special town meeting approved the town’s purchase of waterfront land behind the Lubec Historical Society building. It was hoped at the time that the project could be completed in 2023.
The town then had advertised for bids in 2021 when $19.65 million was available. The two bidders, though, came in high, with Prock Marine bidding $24.3 million while reducing the scope of work and Sargent Corporation bidding $41.3 million.
With not enough funding available, neither of those bids was accepted.
Following that bid process, MDOT then took over management of the project from the town.
Among the parts of the plan that were eliminated to reduce the cost are a two-way road on the top of the breakwater and two hoists for fishermen to use. That decision was made after the town had advertised for bids in 2021.
The breakwater, which will extend out into Johnson’s Bay, will provide a sheltered area where mariners can launch, moor and berth boats. The number of mooring spaces will be determined by the harbormaster.
Area fishermen have backed the project, as it is intended to provide a refuge from damaging storms. Design details initially had been worked out by the ad‑hoc Safe Harbor committee.
Research done by Trescott resident Julie Keene, who had been the Safe Harbor committee chair, indicates that four deaths could have been prevented had a breakwater such as the one envisioned been available. That number does not include deaths that happen on boats at sea. The four were all lost while attempting to come ashore – typically on a skiff – during foul weather.