Heraldnet.com
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2010 12:30 pm
LocalNorthwestNation & WorldPoliticsSpecial ReportsPhotosColumnistsMultimedia 
Blog
Michelle Dunlop
Boeing to add two 787s to flight test fleet
Blog
Amy Rolph
HomeStreet Bank hosts small business fair
Mike Benbow
Business editor Mike Benbow's insights into all things business.
•Latest: A wary take on health care bill
Steve Tytler
Steve Tytler answers your questions about real estate.
•Latest: Credit scores suddenly plunge
 
WEEK IN REVIEW
Wednesday


A stroke of kindness for Everett woman
Suspect arrested in Everett manhunt after shots...
New student exams, familiar results
Tuesday


Crash leaves car embedded in Everett Transit bus
County students get mixed grade from superinten...
Stevens Hospital District taxes to stay
Monday


More than a nuisance
Mukilteo's red-light camera fight on radar of ...
Renamed Keystone ferry terminal a coup for Coup...
Sunday


Snohomish County becomes a destination for airp...
You’ll need only 1 flu shot this year
Snohomish County YMCA goal: Healthy kids
Saturday


Marysville's new school getting ready for its f...
When the circus came to Everett ... in 1910
Drop in ferry ridership leveling off
Friday


New flight simulator re-creates 787 for pilots
Berkey calls for investigation into campaign ag...
Crash flips horse trailer on I-5, blocking traffic
Thursday


Heroin increasing its reach in small towns
Everett schools gain; Berkey's deficit widens
Rabbits and chickens move in as Evergreen fair ...
 

ADVERTISEMENT

Business   Print This Article  Email This Page  Subscribe Now! facebook digg reddit del.icio.us fark stumble

 
 
CONTACT THE HERALD
Mike Benbow, Business Editor
benbow@heraldnet.com
 
Published: Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Everett Port seeks $43 million to grow

The federal stimulus funds would help upgrade the terminal used by Boeing and other businesses.

EVERETT — The Port of Everett is seeking $43 million in federal stimulus money to upgrade a marine terminal for Boeing Co. jet parts and other oversized cargo.

If approved, the project would accelerate planned improvements at the south terminal that would beef up the existing wharf to handle heavier loads, improve lighting for nighttime operations and construct a new siding to shuttle railcars.

“Developing a marine terminal is an expensive proposition,” said port director John Mohr. “This leads us to an opportunity to get substantial stimulus dollars.”

The port is seeking a Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery investment grant earmarked for port infrastructure, including projects that link ports to rail lines and other forms of transportation. It's for projects that can be completed by February 2012.

“It's unusual because these projects don't come up that frequently,” said Mohr, noting that if it's approved, the grant would jump-start a planned expansion the port was planning to do in partnership with a private company.

It's been hard to find financing for such projects during the recession, so a grant could get the project started much sooner than would have been possible, he said. “It would reduce the amount of capital required by a joint-venture partner,” he said.

In a master plan approved in 2008, the port talked about extending the wharf in the south terminal and expanding its role as a port skilled in handling odd-shaped and very heavy containers.

Mohr said the grant money would not be used to extend the wharf, but it could help double the strength of the existing pier. The money would also be used to upgrade the terminal yard and to add 1,500 feet of rail siding. Along with the new rail, the port would buy equipment that can move rail cars around the terminal without the need of a locomotive.

Lisa Lefeber, port spokeswoman, said the grant could also pay for a high voltage electrical system so that ships in port could turn off their diesel engines at the dock, reducing emissions.

The port is already handling parts for the Boeing 777 and other jets and would like to increase that type of business. Mohr noted that since 2004 the port has doubled its handling of shipping containers.

Mohr said that since the port is not trying to extend the wharf at this point and has already gone through the necessary public hearings to add the work to its future plans, it should be easier to secure the required permits.

The port should know by February if it receives the grant. Plans call for developing a design next year and doing the work in 2011.

COMMENTS | Be the first to comment

Log in or register to post a new comment.


To read other terms and conditions, click here

Other Advertisers
TODAY'S TOP JOBS
 View All Top Jobs 
Top Cars
Top Homes

ADVERTISEMENT