The staff at VAA provided a study and report to analyze functionality of existing boom towers and pile support for the existing dock structure's ability to handle added weight loads if the vessel were to be operational during inclement weather. This project required creative problem solving due to the detailed structure segments of the existing facility and equipment. 

Rainfall was causing ship loading to shut down one month out of the year - a major disruption in production. VAA was asked to study this problem and provide a solution. VAA recognized our opportunity to construct a cantilevered roof over the ships without the need to provide new foundations, an important feature in an area extremely sensitive to environmental disruptions. The slipformed, reinforced silo structure and the heavily piled dock both provided the residual carrying capacity to support a roof nearly 9/10 of an acre in size.

The final structure, designed by VAA, consists of tapered trusses with 150-foot cantilevers. High wind, moderate seismic loads and ice accumulation were major structural design considerations. The design provides vertical clearance between the ship cranes and the grain loading booms.

VAA used a 3D model to illustrate the final appearance of the roof from the vantage point of residents on the hill above the terminal and from the dockside area.