Helical Piles Help Rebuild Storm-Damaged Boardwalks in Remote Alaska

A powerful tropical cyclone, Typhoon Halong developed near Iwo Jima, Japan on October 3, 2025. Four days later, after transitioning into an extratropical cyclone, the storm hit western Alaska, delivering hurricane-force winds and catastrophic storm surges. More than 40 villages reported damage to homes, boardwalks, and critical infrastructure. Record high surge waters uplifted and displaced many miles of boardwalk and dozens of homes throughout the effected communities.

The path of Typhoon Halong

Communities Immobile

Villages in western Alaska rely on wooden boardwalks to serve as their primary infrastructure for pedestrians, ATVs, and emergency transport. There are no paved roads due to the sensitive, boggy tundra containing permafrost. When multiple 50- to 100-foot sections of boardwalk were torn apart and carried away, residents lost critical connections within their communities, disrupting daily travel and emergency access. The total loss of the boardwalks meant residents were stranded and the communities were paralyzed.

Working for Quick Recovery

Alaska DOT recognized using helical pile foundations were a practical way to get the boardwalks back in service while creating a more storm-resilient boardwalk network to help mitigate the effects of future weather events. Because helical piles can be installed in a variety of weather conditions – even permafrost – there was no need to wait for conditions to be perfect to start the jobs.

Since Alaska DOT specifications were already in place for boardwalks (Alaska Test Methods Manual, Section 203, Helical Piling), engineers were confident in a helical pile foundation solution, allowing a reduced time to specify and start installing the critical infrastructure.

Installation and Remote-Site Logistics

The rebuild challenge was massive and to get the job done as quickly as possible, three manufacturers were selected to complete the 12,000-pile job. Chance was selected due to its reputation, previous product acceptance by DOT, and ability to get the materials made quickly. A mixture of Chance SS5 / RS2875.203 combo piles and round shaft RS2875.203 lead sections with an 8/10 helix were used on the project. 

Combining a square shaft lead section followed by round shaft extensions, the combo pile cast transition is a product unique to Chance Foundation Solutions. It offers the installation advantages of the square shaft lead section combined with the lateral capacity and buckling resistance of the round shaft extension. On a project where saving time was crucial, the installation benefits of the combo pile allowed piles to be installed quickly and reliably.

The crews used mini excavators with 12k drive heads to install the piles. An important element of helical pile installation, torque was monitored using the Chance Digital Torque Indicator. Because installation torque can be correlated with helical pile capacity using the project’s engineering criteria, crews used the engineer-provided requirements to verify that each pile reached its specified installation depth and torque.

In this complex project, the coordination with Alaska DOT and logistics of getting the helical piles to their required destination was handled by Dynamic Helical Systems, the exclusive Chance distributor for Alaska. One of the project’s biggest challenges was manufacturing a large quantity of material quickly and delivering it to the affected villages via air freight. The relatively low weight of the helical pile components supported remote mobilization around storm damage and debris. For example, an RS2875.203 lead section with 8- and 10-inch helices weighs only 57 pounds (26 kg).

For this project, the helical pile system offered several practical advantages:

• Compact installation equipment was easier to mobilize to the remote communities

• The helical pile foundation provides a more storm-resilient support system for the rebuilt boardwalks

• Foundation installation could proceed without waiting for completion of the remaining boardwalk construction.

• Helical piles can be immediately loaded – no waiting for conditions where concrete can cure and be loaded

Heroes Wearing Hard Hats

Alaska DOT were thankful for the quick production turnaround time on such a high quantity of piles. Installers appreciated the Combo Pile design which made for an easier installation into the frozen Alaska tundra.

Winter conditions added significant pressure to an already demanding rebuilding effort. Crews continued working through blizzards, freezing rain, a frozen surface layer, and deeper permafrost to install the foundations needed for the boardwalk reconstruction. Their work demonstrates how coordinated crews, compact installation equipment, and a foundation system suited to frozen ground can support critical infrastructure recovery in remote communities.

Their commitment to their trade while helping their communities is commendable.

👉 If you would like to learn more about being a Chance Certified Installer, use this form to contact us.