Paul StinsonMinnesota will use $18.1 million from the Port Development Assistance Program (PDAP) to support seven port development projects that will improve multimodal freight transportation on Minnesota’s waterways.
PDAP is a state program dedicated to upgrading waterway access, improving infrastructure and expanding port capacity. The program provides the state’s public port authorities with capital investment funding, requiring a minimum 20% local match. Local and private funding accounts for an additional $8.8 million, covering the remainder of each project’s total cost.
The largest amount, $7.57 million, will go to the Duluth Seaway Port Authority to abate hazardous materials and create a temporary storage area. The 150-year-old Port of Duluth-Superior is responsible for transporting 35 million tons of cargo annually and generating $1.3 billion in revenue each year.
The $9.5 million Duluth project calls for demolishing dilapidated grain elevators, recycling concrete for onsite reuse plus deck and restoring access roads. Upgrades to the site call for installing utilities to create a four-acre laydown area –typically used in construction to temporarily store materials, vehicles and equipment.
The state will invest $4.8 million to support two St. Paul Port Authority projects totaling $6.8 million. The port authority will use $4 million to build silos to increase cement storage. The project also calls for upgrading the structural, electrical and mechanical systems to support on-site material transfer. In addition, the port will apply safety upgrades to existing walkways and guard rails systems. The port authority will also replace and add mooring couplings/bollards, guardrails with silt fence panels and mechanical upgrades.
The Wabasha Port Authority will use $890,000 to build a $4.3 million barge terminal facility. The effort includes building an access road, sheet pile dock face, steel pile clusters and a truck scale and field office.
The state will put $2.2 million toward a $2.8 million Port Authority of Winona project that will improve infrastructure and accessibility along the Levee Park dock wall. The project’s scope includes realigning streets and pathways as well as removing abandoned railroad tracks to allow river cruise passengers to safely depart and board vessels.
Strategic Partnerships, Inc. can provide information on contract opportunities, plus existing and future government funding. For more information, contact research@spartnerships.com.
Photo by Pete Markham
