West Coast ports were among the more than a dozen agencies receiving over $220 million in port-related improvement grants from the Maritime Administration’s (MARAD) Port Infrastructure Development Program, the U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao announced Oct. 15.
The federal grants will improve America’s ports with nearly half the projects in Opportunity Zones, which were created to revitalize economically distressed communities, according to Chao.
Grant will fund:
- The Bellingham Shipping Terminal Rehabilitation Project, which received more than $6.8 million toward building a bigger heavy load area and taking away rock outcrops in front of Berth 1.
- The final phase of the Terminal 5 Uplands Modernization and Rehabilitation Project in Seattle, which netted more than $10.6 million toward surfacing, paving, and reinforcement of a terminal-wide stormwater treatment system and other work.
- Coos Bay Rail Line Phase II Tie and Surfacing Program in Oregon, which received over $9.8 million.
- The Marine Terminal Freight Dock & Corridor Improvements in Seward, Alaska, which garnered over $19.7 million toward extending the dock by about 375 feet, allowing for more freight cargo and curbing conflicts between freight and cruise movements onshore and in the harbor.
- The SR 47-Vincent Thomas Bridge & Harbor Boulevard-Front Street Interchange Improvement Project in Los Angeles, which received $9.88 million.
“Support for this federal grant came from all levels of government,” said Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka. “We are grateful to the U.S. Department of Transportation, including its Maritime Administration, the members of Congress who represent the Port, and state and local leaders for recognizing the urgent need to modernize this critical junction of the National Highway Freight Network.”
