Capital Funding: Long Beach, New York/New Jersey

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The Long Beach Board of Harbor Commissioners earlier this month approved an $858 million budget for the Port of Long Beach for the upcoming fiscal year, with two-thirds of the spending set aside for a building and modernization program. The board of commissioners of the Port Authority of New York & New Jerseyhas approved a project to upgrade of the main access road to the Global Container Terminal in Jersey City.

Long Beach Harbor Commission Approves $858 million FY 2014-15 Port Budget

The Long Beach Board of Harbor Commissioners earlier this month approved an $858 million budget for the Port of Long Beach in the upcoming fiscal year, with two-thirds of the spending set aside for a robust building and modernization program.

For the fiscal year starting October 1, 2014, the harbor department plans to spend $579 million on capital projects – part of a decade-long, $4 billion investment in port upgrades and efficiency improvements. The ongoing Desmond Bridge Replacement Project and Middle Harbor Terminal Redevelopment will continue to be the port’s largest construction projects.

The budget projects operating revenue of $346.8 million. The approved budget adds 28 new full-time positions, which include 20 in engineering to support ongoing capital improvements, and six to enhance port security operations. The budget also includes funding of more than $30 million for environmental programs and projects such as technology-advancement demonstrations of a barge-based pollution-control system for ships at berth and an electric truck overhead "catenary" system.

The budget was unanimously approved by the commission and will be presented to the Long Beach City Council for approval

The harbor department receives no taxpayer revenue. Port operations are supported by income from terminal leases and fees charged to terminal companies and shipping lines for moving cargo through the port.

New York/New Jersey: $9.5 Million Authorized for Major Port Road Improvement Project 

The board of commissioners of the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey has approved a project to upgrade of the main access road to the Global Container Terminal in Jersey City. The project will improve access to the terminal gate complex and enhance the movement of new vehicles between BMW's processing facility and the vessel berthing area. Global recently introduced the first automated container handling system in the bi-state port.

The $9.5 million road improvement project – funded by cargo facility charges, which are assessed on all cargo that moves across port authority wharfs – will include a new left turn lane and entrance to the BMW auto processing facility to handle additional traffic volume, the realignment and repaving Port Jersey Boulevard between Colony Road and the Global Container Terminal gate, upgrades to the existing drainage system and installation of a guiderail for vehicle safety.

The roadway upgrades will provide better access and egress to Port Jersey and Global Container Terminal, reducing fuel consumption and associated pollution by minimizing vehicle travel time and truck idling. The improvements also will increase safety for trucks entering and exiting the Global terminal and BMW's facility from Port Jersey Boulevard. Global and BMW employ approximately 600 people.

The port authority recently completed or has underway $117 million in upgrades to the port roadway network. These infrastructure improvements, together with road and common area security investments to improve the port's efficiency, security and environmental footprint, are funded by the cargo facility charge. the port authority anticipates spending an additional $248 million over the next 10 years at its New York and New Jersey port facilities. The additional funding is included in the port authority's 10-year capital plan.

The ongoing road projects are part of the port authority's efforts to reduce truck congestion and resulting air emissions in the Port of New York and New Jersey. In June, the Port Performance Task Force – created by the port authority in conjunction with the New York Shipping Association – released 23 recommendations to improve port performance and efficiency. A group of port stakeholders – the Council on Port Performance – is beginning the task of implementing the recommendations.