June 19 - Port Manatee's Berth 9 is now able to accommodate heavier loads as a result of the completion of a reconstruction project in association with the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT).
At a recent dedication ceremony, officials cut a ribbon signaling the formal opening of the fortified berth, which is now 625 ft (190.5 m) in length and can now handle uniform loads up to 1,000 lbs per sq ft (0.45 tonnes per sq ft).
FDOT funded three-quarters of the project's USD10.3 million (EUR9.2 million) cost.
Pictured here at the ceremony (left to right): State representatives Jim Boyd, R-Bradenton; Gary Tibbetts, special assistant to US representative Vern Buchanan; Betsy Benac, member, Manatee County Port Authority; Charles B. Smith, second vice chairman, Manatee County Port Authority; Vanessa Baugh, chairwoman, Manatee County Port Authority; Carlos Buqueras, executive director, Port Manatee; Stephen R. Jonsson, third vice chairman, Manatee County Port Authority; Robin DiSabatino, member, Manatee County Port Authority; Carol Whitmore, member, Manatee County Port Authority; and Priscilla Whisenant Trace, first vice chairwoman, Manatee County Port Authority.
