EVERETT – Today, the U.S. Department of Transportation Maritime Administration (MARAD) announced that the Port of Everett has been awarded an $11.25 million grant from the federal Port Infrastructure Development Program (PIDP) to modernize and strengthen Pier 3 at its international Seaport. The project will allow the Port to better serve and support the safe, efficient, and reliable freight movement and maritime commerce at Washington’s third largest container port.
PIDP grants are awarded nationally on a competitive basis to projects that improve the safety, efficiency, or reliability of the movement of goods into, out of, or within a port to ensure infrastructure can meet the nation’s freight transportation needs and anticipated growth in freight volumes.
“The Port is grateful to the U.S. Department of Transportation for this critical maritime infrastructure investment that will ensure the Port of Everett Seaport continues to safely support 40,000+ local jobs, regional economic development, and the Washington state economy,” Port of Everett CEO/Executive Director Lisa Lefeber said. “We are also grateful for the ongoing support of our congressional delegation in helping advocate for funding for our project.”
U.S. Representative Rick Larsen shared news of the award in a call with Port representatives.
The Pier 3 Strengthening Safety and Commerce project will diversify the types of cargo that can be handled at the site, permitting for operation of cargo-handling equipment on the pier, maintaining the safety of this valuable part of supply chain infrastructure for maritime users and port operations. This funding will support the full scope of the project, including planning and engineering, environmental review, permitting, and construction. The project includes installing new vertical piles beneath the pier and restoring other damaged piles, adding new life to the structure.
Constructed in 1973, Pier 3 has helped facilitate global and regional trade for decades. Cargo operations at the pier have included bulk alumina ore and cement, general cargo, and forest products. Today it is primarily used for bulk cement operations due to its proximity to a 55,000-ton dry bulk cement storage dome at Hewitt Terminal at the Seaport; cement stored at the Seaport is a critical supply chain asset for the Washington state construction industry. The north side of the pier is also used by a Seaport tenant for ship repair work for the U.S. Navy, Department of Defense, U.S. Coast Guard, Washington State Ferries, commercial fishing fleet, among other vessel maintenance and repair work.
Pier 3 is the longest berth at the Seaport, measuring 730 feet long with a 120-feet-wide concrete deck, but cannot currently be used to its full operational potential. The pier was originally designed to carry a uniform live load of 800 pounds per square foot but was derated in recent years to a uniform live load of 600 pounds per square foot on its south side, 400 pounds per square foot on its north side, and some areas being derated even further. The strengthening project will enhance the pier’s operational capacity.
“The Port of Everett Seaport is already the region’s premier breakbulk cargo port, and strengthening Pier 3 will improve our capacity to support current operations, diversify the types of cargo we can serve, and help us continue to support global trade and local economic development,” Port of Everett Chief of Seaport Operations Tim Ryker said. “It will also allow us to better serve in our role as a Strategic Commercial Seaport in of support our national defense and our military partners.”
Pier 3 is an ideal cargo-handling facility due to its close proximity to Norton Terminal – the Port’s award-winning, 40-acre, paved, lit, and secure cargo yard – as well as adjacent bonded warehouse space, additional 15-acre cargo yard, 40 mean lower low water (MLLW) and nearby on-dock rail. The Port of Everett Seaport is also a MARAD-designated Strategic Commercial Seaport, meaning that the Port must maintain readiness and be prepared to meet the U.S. military’s needs with short notice, while minimizing disruption to commercial services and commerce. The Port of Everett is one of just five Strategic Commercial Seaports on the West Coast and 18 nationwide.
About the Port of Everett Seaport
The Port of Everett Seaport, located 25 miles north of Seattle, is a natural deep-water, self-operating seaport that supports nearly $21 billion worth of U.S. exports annually ($30B import/export value combined), ranking as the #2 export customs district in Washington state – #5 on the West Coast. The Port of Everett is the third largest container port in Washington state and is the region’s premiere breakbulk cargo facility, handling high-value, conventional and over-dimensional cargoes in support of the aerospace, construction, manufacturing, military, agriculture, energy, and forest products industries. Most notably, the Port of Everett serves as an extension of the aerospace manufacturing process, accommodating 100% of the oversized aerospace parts for the 747 (now retired), 767, 777, 777X and K-C Tanker programs. The Port of Everett is a designated as a MARAD Strategic Commercial Seaport – one of only 18 nationwide – to support critical cargo movements for the Department of Defense. The Port’s regional transportation network supports more than 40,000 jobs and $433 million in state and local tax revenues. With more than 60% of jobs tied to trade in Snohomish County, the Port of Everett continuously looks for ways to expand cargo handling capabilities and keep freight moving efficiently.
The Port of Everett Seaport has earned both regional and international recognition, being named 2022 Port of the Year by Washington Public Ports Association and 2024 Port/Terminal Operator of the Year by Heavy Lift and Project Forwarding International.
Learn more at www.portofeverett.com/seaport.
Source: Port of Everett
Author: Lynnwood Times Staff
