Major improvements coming to Ports in Blyn, Westport, Tacoma, and Vancouver
Murray first established the Port Infrastructure Development Program as a top appropriator and has fought to fund the program since its inception
Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced five grants totaling $50,460,845 for port infrastructure projects in Washington state.
Funding for these grants comes from the Port Infrastructure Development Program (PIDP), which was created to improve the movement of goods in and through our nation’s ports, improve the supply chain, and enhance port resiliency.
Here’s a breakdown of today’s grant announcements:
Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe is receiving $3,800,000 for the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribal Port Project which would fund engineering, design, feasibility and economic analyses, and environmental work in support of construction of a new, multi-purpose pier at Tala Point on the Hood Canal.
“The Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe has a real vision for the new pier at Tala Point and this funding gives them what they need to get the planning and design work done right,” said Senator Patty Murray. “This is about Tribal economic opportunity and a stronger maritime economy on the Olympic Peninsula, and I’m going to keep using my seat on the Appropriations Committee to make sure Tribes have a real partner in the federal government.”
The Quinault Indian Nation is receiving $11,000,000 for the Westport Tribal Port Cold-Chain Freight Facility project which delivers approximately 35,000 square feet of multi-user cold-chain freight infrastructure with multi-zone refrigeration and blast-freeze capability, loading and logistics infrastructure, and supporting site development.
“This new facility will give fishermen and businesses on the coast the modern infrastructure they need to get their products to market, and I’m proud to support the Quinault Indian Nation by delivering this funding,” said Senator Patty Murray.
The Northwest Seaport Alliance is receiving $11,386,845 for the Washington United Terminals Infrastructure Reliability project, which consists of two components at Washington United Terminals: 1) replacement of existing bollards with upgraded ones to safely moor larger vessels; and 2) new concrete runways to accommodate rubber-tired gantry cranes (RTG) for both local and rail-served container movements.
“Our ports are the engine of our economy in Washington state. So many farmers and manufacturers rely on them to get their goods out to customers across the world,” said Senator Murray. “Upgrading our ports so they can safely handle bigger ships and move containers more efficiently is exactly the kind of investment that keeps our state competitive.”
The Port of Grays Harbor is receiving $6,274,000 for the Westport Marina Float 15 Replacement which will replace aging floats with new structures designed to accommodate larger vessels. Improvements include the installation of new steel piles, a new approach pier, and a new gangway. The project also includes utility improvements.
“The floats at Westport Marina have served this community for a long time, and they need to be replaced so the port can safely handle the larger vessels coming in today,” said Senator Patty Murray. “I’m proud to invest in the safety and long-term future of the Port of Grays Harbor—this makes a big difference for all of the families and businesses who rely on the port.”
The Port of Vancouver is receiving $18,000,000 for the Port of Vancouver Berth 8 Improvements for Cargo Handling Project which includes strengthening the dock with fiber-reinforced polymer to allow for the use of forklifts, cargo trailers and tractors on the dock. The project also includes infill to close a large open space, guardrails, improved lighting, purchase of a rotating container handler, and relocation and retrofit of two mobile harbor cranes.
“The Port of Vancouver supports thousands of jobs and businesses across Southwest Washington, and this grant will help it move more cargo, more safely, for years to come,” said Senator Patty Murray. “As Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, investing in Vancouver and Southwest Washington will always be a priority for me.”
As a senior member—and now Vice Chair—of the appropriations committee, Sen. Murray helped create and fund PIDP; the competitive grant program was established in the Fiscal Year 2019 transportation appropriations bill, which was enacted in February 2019. Since then, Sen. Murray has played a key role in securing more than $1.3 billion in funding for PIDP in annual appropriations bills since its inception. As then Assistant Majority Leader, Sen. Murray helped ensure passage of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which included $2.25 billion over five years for PIDP.
Sen. Murray has always been a champion of Washington state’s ports, from making sure ports were eligible for the BUILD (originally TIGER) grant program she created as Chair of the Transportation Appropriations Subcommittee in 2009 to her consistent and dogged advocacy for federal investments in Washington state’s ports. The BUILD program Sen. Murray established marked the first time port authorities were eligible to apply for competitive federal grants.
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