The US Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MARAD) has allocated USD580 million towards port improvement projects.
The funding comes from MARAD’s Port Infrastructure Development Program (PIDP), which received USD2.25 billion from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to improve port infrastructure to meet the nation’s freight transportation needs.
Among the projects to receive funding is Don Young Port of Alaska, which received USD50 million towards construction of a new general purpose cargo terminal. Work funded by the grant includes demolition of the existing terminal, construction of the trestle and wharf structure, and related landside facilities and utilities.
USD11.3 million will go to the port Davisville to relocate a port access roadway and port entrance gate, relocate and improve port operations buildings, construct new and expanded upland cargo laydown areas to allow for transport of large cargoes including offshore wind components.
USD34 million has been earmarked for Chicago, Illinois, to rehabilitate 3,000 ft of dock, build three heavy lift pads, and add 1,700 ft of new rail spur at the Iroquois Landing Terminal.
Mount Vernon, Indiana, was allocated USD11.2 million for various improvements, including a multipurpose container/cargo storage yard. Meanwhile, the port of Bellingham in Washington received nearly USD11 million to fund the demolition and replacement of a pier at the Fisherman’s Cove Marina, plus the purchase of an electric lift and four Davit cranes.
