Bicentennial Tower and Bayfront Pier Handrail Project

Erie Weld Products, Inc. and PCE Engineering were commissioned to build and install new handrails and guardrails around the tower pier area and bayfront piers to ensure safety near the water’s edge. Given the Bicentennial Tower’s location on the Erie bayfront, a popular tourist destination, it was essential to implement protective measures against the elements, especially water. PCE Engineering, based in Meadville, PA, was responsible for designing matching handrails for the piers, docks, boat ramps, and the tower complex. This project was particularly challenging due to Erie’s reputation as one of the snowiest cities in the world, subjecting the handrails to winter maintenance salts and lake spray.

The Bicentennial Tower, constructed in 1995 to mark Erie’s bicentennial year (1996), proudly stands at the end of State Street on Dobbins Landing, located at 1 State Street, Erie, PA, 16507. Rising to a height of 187 feet (57 meters), the tower features two observation decks and serves as a key landmark in the city. As a tribute to community support, the area surrounding the tower is adorned with bricks engraved with the names and messages of individuals and groups who contributed to various community-benefit projects, including the tower’s construction.

To combat the corrosive effects of the lake shore, a strategic decision was made to employ a duplex system. This approach involves galvanizing followed by painting the handrails, ensuring maximum protection against corrosion. Duplex systems have been shown to extend the life cycle of coatings up to 2.3 times longer than average.

Preserving the aesthetic appeal and structural integrity of this prominent city attraction was paramount. The project involves applying duplex coating to 126,236 pounds of handrails, a critical component of the initiative. The emphasis on design complexity, corrosion control over the design life, final appearance, and overall project enhancement underscores the commitment to ensuring the longevity and visual appeal of this iconic structure.