The pier was originally 2,100 meters long and was constructed between 1937 and 1941, replacing a wooden pier that was built in the beginning of the last century. In 1988, an additional 4,000 meters was added to its length increasing the pier’s cargo and container vessels handling capacity.
Photograph of the Progreso Pier taken from the International Space Station in 2014.
The Progreso Pier is also the first concrete structure in the world built with nickel-containing stainless steel reinforcement. Despite the relatively poor grade of concrete used, the pier has withstood the harsh marine environment and has been in continuous service for over 70 years without any major repair or routine maintenance activities. On the contrary, a neighboring pier located just 200 meters to the west of the Progreso Pier is heavily deteriorated with columns and the superstructure almost entirely gone, despite being twenty years younger. The newer pier was built with carbon steel rebar.
Structural engineers often cite the example of Progreso Pier to show the consequences of using different materials during construction, and the importance of the choice of rebar material aside from concrete.
The Progreso Pier. The remains of the newer pier is seen in the lower part of this image.
A cruise ship docks on Progreso Pier.
The port of Progreso.
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