PORT ANGELES — A project to overhaul the Port of Port Angeles’ Terminal 1 with new steel pilings, dolphins and a fendering system should be completed by early next year.

A comment period on the project’s potential environmental impacts closes Tuesday.

It is unknown when the project will go out to bid.

Port Industrial Development and Properties Manager Pat Deja said the project will include replacing 17 creosote pilings with steel pilings, which should be done by November or December.

The steel pilings will be installed with an impact pile driver, using a bubble curtain to protect fish from sound waves, he said.

Phase two will include installing new breasting dolphins and a floating foam fendering system, which acts as a cushion between the pier and ships.

Deja said phase two will be done early next year before the fish window closes on Feb. 15 and the winter storms begin.

The fendering system will be lowered by crane into the water, he said.

Terminal 1 is the Port’s primary topside ship repair area and also is used to load and unload general cargo.

Marine Spill Response Co. also uses the pier’s east side to store its spill response vessels and barges.

The Terminal 1 area includes an 850-foot pier with dolphins capable of accommodating vessels up to 1,200 feet long.

Security fences and gates recently have been installed that bring the pier into compliance with Homeland Security Department requirements.