Delaware, Maine and Minnesota port projects land TIGER V grants

Add the Port of Wilmington's wharf rehabilitation, Port of Eastport's breakwater replacement and Port of Duluth-Superior's dock expansion to the growing list of projects set to receive Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery V (TIGER V) grants from the U.S. Department of Transportation.

Late last week, Delaware Gov. Jack Markell, Sens. Tom Carper (D-Del.) and Chris Coons (D-Del.), and Rep. John Carney (D-Del.), announced the Diamond State Port Corp. will receive a $10 million grant to rehabilitate the Port of Wilmington's wharf unit 1, which was built in 1923 and is in urgent need of repairs. Work would include replacing deficient or missing piles, reinforcing deteriorated steel piles, repairing and patching all concrete, and installing non-structural encasement on deteriorated pile shells.

Diamond State Port — a state entity that manages the port — will cover the remaining $3.4 million in project costs. Served by CSX Transportation and Norfolk Southern Railway, the port marked its 90th anniversary in May.

The project will "dramatically improve and extend" the port's ability to serve its customers and "ensure its continued role" as an economic engine for the state and region, Markell and the congressmen said in a joint statement.

"As America's No. 1 seaport for fresh fruit imports, it supports thousands of jobs and millions of dollars in revenue," said Carper.

Added Coons: "With two ship berths in need of repair, the port's ability to handle more and heavier cargo has been at risk, but this investment will keep hard-working Delawareans on the job and create new opportunities for urgently needed job growth."

In Maine, Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) announced that the Port of Eastport won a $6 million grant to replace its failing breakwater. The new barrier will feature composite materials to provide stronger breakwater protection, she said in a press release.

"Improving our nation's transportation infrastructure is vital to the safe and efficient movement of freight and people, and it is critical to our economy," said Collins. "These funds will help build and maintain infrastructure to support our commercial fishing industry, while also supporting operations of the U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Navy, and Customs and Border Control."

In Minnesota, Sens. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) and Al Franken (D-Minn.), and Rep. Rick Nolan (D-Minn.) announced the Port of Duluth-Superior will obtain a $10 million grant to rebuild and expand a general cargo dock, and connect it to existing rail and road and infrastructure. The port has access to four Class Is: BNSF Railway Co., CN, Canadian Pacific and Union Pacific Railroad.

"This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to renovate and revitalize our essential Port of Duluth-Superior, making the port and the city of Duluth more competitive by expanding the number of shippers, diversity of cargo, and volume of shipments in and out of the harbor," said Nolan.

For a list of other rail projects tapped to receive TIGER V grants, click here; for details on Sound Transit's TIGER V grants, click here.