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

More in Home

A girl walks her dog along a path lined with dandelions at Willis D. Tucker Community Park on Monday, Sept. 11, 2023, in Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Spraying in Willis Tucker Park resurfaces debate over herbicides

Park staff treated about 11,000 square feet with glyphosate and 2,4-D. When applied correctly, staff said they aren’t harmful.

A semi-truck rolled over blocking all traffic lanes Thursday morning on I-5 north just south of Arlington on Sept. 21, 2023. (Washington State Patrol)
Overturned trailer spills fish onto I-5 near Arlington, closing lanes

The crash blocked all lanes, forcing drivers going north during rush hour to use the left shoulder.

Cars drive near River Park in Sultan, Washington on Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
After Maui wildfires, Sky Valley locals look warily at US 2

It’s the main evacuation route for 40,000 people near Sultan, Gold Bar and Index. And it wouldn’t take much to cut it off.

Cash is used for a purchase at Molly Moon's Ice Cream in Edmonds, Washington on Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
County Council delays vote on requiring businesses to take cash

Concerns over information and enforcement postponed the council’s scheduled vote on the ordinance Wednesday in Snohomish County.

Thrill-seekers fly through the air on a ride during opening day of the Evergreen State Fair on Thursday, August 24, 2023, in Monroe, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Evergreen State Fair attendance dips 9% from 2022

Slightly over 228,000 people attended the fair this year in Monroe, down from 253,000 last year and 355,000 in 2019.

Everett police on patrol heard gunshots near 26th Street and Lombard Avenue and closed off multiple roads as they investigated on Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023. (Everett Police Department)
3 teens arrested after gunfire in downtown Everett

No one was injured. Police heard gunfire in the area of 26th Street and Lombard Avenue.

Kendal Kippen is handcuffed after being sentenced to 14 months in prison for the rape of a child during his sentencing at the Snohomish County Courthouse on Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Former Arlington youth pastor sentenced to 14 months for child rape

Kendal Kippen, 27, was found guilty Tuesday of sexually abusing a former member of Jake’s House. She was 15 at the time.

An example of the Malicious Women Co. products (left) vs. the Malicious Mermaid's products (right). (U.S. District Court in Florida)
Judge: Cheeky candle copycat must pay Snohomish company over $800K

The owner of the Malicious Women Co. doesn’t expect to receive any money from the Malicious Mermaid, a Florida-based copycat.

Logo for news use featuring the municipality of Darrington in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
New fire east of Darrington closes stretch of rural road

The Tenas Creek fire, which started late last week, was 90% contained Wednesday after burning 38 acres.

Most Read