ABC Georgia Recognizes Evans with Second EIC Award

The Georgia Steamship Terminal Redevelopment project receives top honors in $50-$100 million Industrial category for 2024

ATLANTA, GA (July 11, 2024) – Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) Georgia Chapter honored Evans General Contractors with an Excellence in Construction (EIC) Award for Evans’ Georgia Steamship Terminal Redevelopment project in Port Wentworth, GA. This is the second award Evans has received in the $50-$100 million industrial category, having earned the honor in 2022 for Arglass.

The EIC Award demonstrates commitment to and achievement of the highest-quality construction projects by Georgia ABC members and was presented July 11 at the 2024 EIC and Safety Awards Gala in the Savanna Hall at Zoo Atlanta. The competition serves to raise the level of construction standards and honors the workmanship and dedication of those who contribute to the projects.

“Evans is grateful for the opportunity to engage with the ports on a project that not only contributes positively to the economy but enhances supply chain capabilities,” stated RT Evans, President & CEO. “The construction of the transloading facility was significant for the area. We strive to provide solutions for complex projects and are humbled to be recognized for delivering that to our client on this build.”

Contracted by the Georgia Ports Authority (GPA) to provide a 283K sf T-configured transload warehouse, Evans’ delivery of the facility contributed to GPA’s initiative to expand the container capacity of the Port of Savannah by 20%. Scope of the project included a stacked container yard (for 1M units), three 1,000-foot electric rubber tired gantry (eRTG) crane runways, trailer parking yard, truck processing gates including a security building, car parking, and roadways.

Despite building challenges with respect to the shape and number of doors, the site is what set the project apart. It boasts over 55 acres of concrete pavement, including the 638,617 sf eRTG container yard which consists of over 28,000 CY and the 1,932,373 sf truck court with a little over 43,000 CY. There was 3,500 LF of heavy-duty reinforced concrete trench drains for storm drainages at the stacks and concrete-encased electrical duct banks that ran beneath the container yard from the 4160V medium voltage switchgear to 12 different eRTG pedestals.

During the design-build, the project team also had to contend with hazardous materials that originated from the neighboring property’s previous use as a creosote coal washout facility. An EMP (Environmental Management Plan) was put in place, as it was of utmost importance to protect the river, canals, and drainage ditches from chemical contamination, sediment runoff, and construction debris.

“We took great pride in constructing this project for the Georgia Port Authority,” said Ben Runkel, Vice President and Operations Manager of the Savannah Division. “Our team faced several significant challenges, including addressing environmental impacts and overcoming market shortages in concrete, roofing, and electrical materials. Through strategic planning and teamwork, we successfully met our client’s project turn over schedule. This accomplishment not only highlights our team’s resilience and expertise but also reinforces our commitment to delivering high-quality projects that meet and exceed client expectations.”

The project was completed in August 2023 under 2 phases, increasing annual capacity of the container yard by 400,000 TEU’s.

During the Gala, Evans was also recognized as a STEP Platinum recipient for Safety.