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Infrastructure: Brownsville, Miami, Port Angeles

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The Port of Brownsville approved a contract for construction of Cargo Dock 16, which will be funded in part by a U.S. Department of Transportation TIGER grant. PortMiami is awaiting the arrival of four Super Post-Panamax cranes, due to arrive at the port in September. The Port of Port Angeles has received preliminary notice of a $1.5 million grant award from the U.S. Economic Development Administration that will help finance major redevelopment to Terminal 1 during the next two to three years.

Brownsville Awards Contract for the Construction of Cargo Dock 16

The Port of Brownsville Board of Commissioners on August 7 approved a contract award for the construction of Cargo Dock 16. The winning bid came in at 20,924,230. This project is being funded in part by a U.S. Department of Transportation TIGER Grant in the amount of $12 million. The port will contribute the remainder of the funds for a total estimated cost of $26,207,427. The port’s funds will be utilized to construct the general cargo dock, road improvements and lighting. Construction is expected to begin next month and be completed by March 2015.  

Cargo Dock 16 will enhance the port’s expansion efforts in the container business while allowing it the versatility to keep up with increased demand for handling bulk commodities. It will be the port’s second heavy-load capacity dock and increase efficiencies by eliminating or minimizing potential vessel delays.

"We have eagerly awaited the commencement of this important project at the Port of Brownsville," said Port Director and CEO Eduardo A. Campirano. "The construction of Cargo Dock 16 will allow us to increase our cargo handling capabilities and allow us to accomplish our goal of continued growth as an international port and create jobs for our region."

Miami Awaiting Delivery of Four New Container Cranes

Four new Super Post-Panamax cranes are on the way to PortMiami. Manufactured in Shanghai, they are scheduled to reach Florida in September. 

With an outreach of 223 feet, the new gantry cranes will service cargo vessels up to 22 containers wide with up to nine containers high above deck and 11 containers below deck. The cranes are fully electric and equipped with control systems to record all crane activity. Their arrival in Miami will give PortMiami a total of six Super Post-Panamax cranes.

"The arrival of four additional Super Post-Panamax cranes is an important milestone for our port," said PortMiami Director Bill Johnson. "The new cranes complement our existing nine cranes, adding capacity and helping PortMiami to become one of the most efficient and modern ports on the East Coast. New equipment also will play an important role in preparing PortMiami for the expected doubling of container cargo traffic."

The new cranes are among $2 billion in capital improvements underway at PortMiami. Others include the deepening of the port’s main channel to -50 feet, new on-dock rail and the completion of the port tunnel.

Heavy-lift ship departing Shanghai with PortMiami’s four new Super Post Panamax cranes.
Photo/PortMiami

Port Angeles: Tentative EDA Grant Award for Terminal Redevelopment

The Port of Port Angeles has received preliminary notice of a $1.5 million grant award from the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA). If awarded, the grant money, combined with at least $1.5 million of port funds, will finance major redevelopment to Terminal 1 during the next two to three years. 

"We are extremely pleased about the prospect of being awarded this competitive grant," said Chris Hartman, the port’s director of engineering. "The application required an intensive process including obtaining letters of support from businesses utilizing the marine terminal. This was a complete team effort from port staff. It could potentially pay big dividends to the community by supporting much needed work on our primary marine structure."

Port Angeles’ Terminals 1 and 3. T-3 is in the immediate foreground. The port is seeking an EDA to help finance redevelopment of T-1.  
Photo/ Vigor Industrial

"Billions of dollars flow annually from the federal government to local entities in the form of grants. These competitive grants come with a long list of requirements and lots of players have to come together to make it all work," said Colleen McAleer, director of business development. "Finding the right grant out of thousands that matches up with a project can be like finding a needle in a haystack."

Local businesses that rely on the use of the terminal facility were asked to identify numbers of employees that might be retained or additionally hired if the terminal was improved using EDA funds. "Their response was gratifying," commented Marine Terminal Manager Mike Nimmo. "Waterfront dependent businesses are a huge focus for the future of the port and its ability to build economic infrastructure. The port is dedicated to supporting and expanding businesses and their employees. It’s all about jobs."

The letter received from EDA states that the port’s application for funding of a construction project to rehabilitate a port terminal has been selected through EDA’s competitive application review process for further consideration for funding. It does not guarantee final approval to make an award. The port is preparing final documents to be submitted but has been informed that it will be late September before a final commitment is made. 
 

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