Harbors

05/29/12 –

American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Funds used to Restore Harbor Capacity, Improve Safety and Efficiency

HONOLULU – Senator Daniel K. Inouye and the state Department of Transportation (DOT) celebrated the completion of Honolulu Harbor’s Pier 29 Container Yard Reconstruction Project in a dedication ceremony earlier today.

The project received $24.5 million in federal stimulus funds through the TIGER (Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery) Discretionary Grant Program, part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).  The ARRA program aimed at preserving and creating jobs through investment in transportation infrastructure, thereby promoting economic recovery.  This federal funding was an integral part of the project’s quick start, covering approximately 85-percent of the total $29 million project cost.

As the first harbor project nationally to receive TIGER grant funding, the Pier 29 project restores approximately 12 acres of upgraded cargo space which will increase operational efficiency and workplace safety at Honolulu Harbor.  Along with the concrete pavement reconstruction, new drainage, water, lighting, sewer, fire protection and electrical systems were also installed, increasing Honolulu Harbor’s cargo capacity by creating more space for additional container ships and commerce.

“The Pier 29 Reconstruction not only improves safety for our workers, efficiency of our operations and the capacity of Honolulu Harbor, but, most importantly, it will help to boost our state’s economy into the future,” said DOT Director Glenn Okimoto.  “We want to thank Senator Inouye and our congressional delegation for their strong support and our partners at the US Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration for making this project possible.”

In 2008, Pier 29 suffered structural failures in the concrete pavement, rendering the cargo yard virtually unusable.  The reconstruction project began on August 20, 2010, and restores 12 acres to Honolulu Harbor’s total cargo capacity, creating more space for more efficient commercial operations.

Senator Will Espero; Gary North, Excutive Director,Hawaii Harbors User Group;Richard Maxwell, Aloha Cargo Transport; Senator Daniel K. Inouye; Tom Martin, Aloha Cargo Transport; Brian Varney, U.S. Department of Transportation; Maritime Administration, Glenn Okimoto; Director, Hawaii State Department of Transportation; Denny Watts, CEO, WATTS Construction; Bruce Coppa, Office of Govenor Neil Abercormbie, Chief of Staff; Representative Pono Chong; Kahu Kordell Kekoa.

New concrete pavement at Pier 29 replaces the previously deteriorated and unusable concrete container yard.