US Ports to get infrastructure upgrade with fresh inflow of funds

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In order to develop the infrastructure of its coastal ports, Great Lakes and inland river ports, the U.S. Transportation Department announced on Friday, that it will give a financial boost of USD 703 million. The funds are expected to improve supply chain reliability, electrify equipment, improve or create new rail and highway connections, boost offshore wind projects and cut greenhouse gas emissions of the ports spread across 23 states.

“We’re awarding record levels of funding to improve our port infrastructure, strengthen our supply chains, and help cut costs for American families,” 

Pete Buttigieg, Transportation Secretary

The funds will be distributed as follows –

• The state of Alaska is getting USD 112.5 million for four projects, including USD 68 million for an Anchorage port extension.
• The Aleutian Islands will get USD 10.2 million to repair a key port and USD 5.4 million for a floating dock project.
• New York will get USD 48 million for the Arthur Kill Offshore Wind Terminal Project. The Staten Island project will fund dredging 740,000 cubic yards to create a 35-foot-deep ship basin.
• Salem, Massachusetts will get nearly USD 34 million to redevelop a vacant industrial facility for offshore wind energy projects, including construction of a 700-foot-long wharf.
• The Port of Columbus, Mississippi is getting USD 6 million for a new rail spur with 10,000 linear feet of track and docks providing direct rail access for trans-loading cargo between barges and railcars, connecting the terminal to an existing railroad line operated by Kansas City Southern.
• Detroit is getting USD 16 million to rehabilitate existing port infrastructure and build a new port/rail connection.
• Camden, New Jersey will receive USD 25 million to upgrade a functionally obsolete truck route to the port by reconstructing nearly three miles of key roadway infrastructure.
• Long Beach, California will get USD 30 million to replace diesel yard tractors with 60 electric yard tractors and other equipment.
• Grays Harbor Terminal in Aberdeen, Washington is getting USD 25.5 million to build an additional 50,000 feet of rail and repurpose a 50-acre brownfield site for cargo.

The project is funded by a USD 1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure law approved by the Congress and signed by President Joe Biden in November 2021, though announced later on Friday.