Port of Everett receives $10 million grant for upgrades

EVERETT — The Port of Everett is getting a $10 million federal grant to help pay for strengthening and upgrading its South Terminal.

Port officials expect the improvements will take three years to finish and cost a total of $55 million. It will enable the port to handle heavier cargo and bigger ships — two dominant trends in the modern shipping industry. The work list includes reinforcing 560 feet of dock, installing tracks to support a massive harbor crane, and adding two rail sidings so cars can be loaded and unloaded without tying up the main line.

“This project is the port’s number one capital project,” Port of Everett spokeswoman Lisa Lefeber said.

Without the improvements, it could not support Boeing’s 777X. Shipping containers for the new airliner are expected to be about four feet wider and 10 tons heavier than those for the 777, she said.

The money comes from a competitive grant program run by the U.S. Department of Transportation and called the Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery program — or more commonly, TIGER. Sen. Patty Murray backed the Port of Everett’s grant application. The port unsuccessfully applied for a TIGER grant for South Terminal work in 2009.

“With this federal investment, we will be able to modernize our facilities to continue to support the aerospace, manufacturing and construction industries in the region,” Port of Everett CEO Les Reardanz said in a statement Tuesday.

The port already has spent about $10 million improving the South Terminal. Last year, it began strengthening the dock, which was built in the 1970s by Weyerhaeuser for moving logs, not industrial machinery or massive parts of airplanes.

The Port of Everett is applying for other state and federal grants to cover the rest of the $55 million in improvements. Money also is expected to come from the port’s capital budget and bond sales, Lefeber said.

After upgrading South Terminal, port officials want to extend the dock there and at the adjacent Pacific Terminal by 2022.

Dan Catchpole: 425-339-3454; dcatchpole@heraldnet.com; Twitter: @dcatchpole.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Home

Family searches for answers in 1982 Gold Bar cold case murder

David Stepp’s children spent years searching for him before learning he’d been murdered. Now, they want anwsers.

Snohomish County Council member offers new proposal for habitat ordinance

Jared Mead wrote an amendment as an attempt to balance environmental concerns and housing needs.

Logo for news use featuring the municipality of Monroe in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Leavenworth man, 47, killed in multi-vehicle fatality collision on US 2

The chain reaction crash closed the highway between Monroe and Sultan for more than three hours on Wednesday.

Everett High School (Sue Misao / The Herald file)
Everett school board selects finalists to fill vacant seat

The board will interview the five finalists at a May 1 meeting.

The Edmonds School Board discusses budget cuts during a school board meeting on Tuesday, April 15, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Edmonds school board discusses staff cuts, state legislation

The board plans to vote April 29 on a reduced educational program that would cut up to 12 certificated staff positions.

Adopt A Stream invites volunteers to plant trees along Quilceda Creek

The Tulalip Tribes and the Adopt A Stream Foundation will… Continue reading

Signs against the proposed sale of Hummingbird Hill Park are visible on the steps of a home neighboring the park on Monday, March 31, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Edmonds City Council may reconsider selling city parks, buildings

Council members have asked to remove proposals to sell Hummingbird Hill Park and the Frances Anderson Center.

R.C. ‘Swede’ Johnson. (Provided photo)
Former Snohomish school board, city council member dies at 81

R.C. ‘Swede’ Johnson spent nearly two decades serving in public office in Snohomish.

The Edmonds Police Department released a video of the assault and asked for the public’s help identifying the suspect. (Edmonds Police Department)
Police seek suspect in Edmonds road rage assault

A driver was pepper-sprayed at a red light in February; investigators ask for public’s help.

Northshore School District Administrative building. (Northshore School District)
Lawsuit against Northshore School District reaches $500,000 settlement

A family alleged a teacher repeatedly restrained and isolated their child and barred them from observing the classroom.

Mary Ann Karber, 101, spins the wheel during Wheel of Forunte at Washington Oakes on Tuesday, April 1, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Lunch and Wheel of Fortune with some Everett swinging seniors

She’s 101 and he’s 76. At Washington Oakes, fun and friendship are on the menu.

Policing from above: Everett launches drones as first responders

Despite civil liberty concerns, the Everett City Council approves high-speed drone pilot program on 5-1 vote.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.