Commitment to infrastructure investment earns recognition for new Quonset pier - by Steven J. King

At Quonset Business Park, our success is made possible in large part by the state-of-the-art infrastructure we provide for companies here who depend on it. Our commitment to that infrastructure makes it especially meaningful to see the Port of Davisville’s Terminal 5 Pier and Blue Economy Support Docks recognized with the 2025 Silver Award for Horizontal Construction Design-Build from the New England chapter of the Design-Build Institute of America (DBIA).

The award reflects more than technical excellence. It represents what can be achieved through strong partnerships. Terminal 5 was delivered through a design-build collaboration between the Quonset Development Corp., Manafort Brothers, Inc., and WSP in the U.S. 

Together, the team constructed Rhode Island’s first new heavy commercial pier in nearly 70 years — a 720-ft., multi-berth facility built in the middle of an active port environment. The project was completed on time and without disruption to operations at the Port of Davisville, Rhode Island’s only public port and one of North America’s Top 10 auto importers.

The project’s success was the result of careful coordination and a shared commitment to solving challenges in real time. The Manafort and WSP teams each displayed a deep technical expertise that made for a seamless partnership. The DBIA recognition is a testament to that partnership and the timely completion of this important new port infrastructure. 

Terminal 5 strengthens the Port of Davisville’s ability to handle roll-on/roll-off cargo and heavy high-wide freight while also creating new opportunities for small and growing maritime companies. It adds flexible docking capacity that supports research and development, product testing and the next generation of Blue Economy innovation.

Companies at Quonset make long-term investments based on one critical question: Will the infrastructure be there when they need it? Our charge is to ensure the answer is always yes.

Today, the Quonset Business Park supports more than 15,000 jobs across more than 260 companies, including one of every four manufacturing jobs in Rhode Island. That growth is not accidental. It is the direct result of sustained, strategic investment in modern port and rail facilities, convenient roadway access and reliable utilities that allow businesses to scale with confidence.  The support over the decades from our partners in government at the local, state and federal levels is indispensable to this success, as well.

The DBIA award is an honor. But more importantly, it signals that we continue to leverage the right partnerships to sustain our long-term commitment to delivering for the businesses that call Quonset home.

Steven J. King, P.E. is the managing director of the Quonset Development Corp., North Kingstown, R.I.