Adam RollinsThe Port of Oakland in California’s bay area has completed a significant milestone for the Turning Basins Widening Project, successfully certifying the Final Environmental Impact Report (FEIR) and enabling the $608.9 million project to move into the design phase. Construction is slated for 2027.
As part of the initiative, the port will widen both the Inner and Outer Harbor Turning Basins at the seaport, providing large ships with more space to maneuver. While the project will have a significant impact on the environment, the port will implement adequate mitigation measures in compliance with national standards to alleviate damages.
Seeking to protect air and water quality in the region, the Port of Oakland plans to exclusively use electric dredging and develop beneficial reuse opportunities for wetland restoration using materials from the project.
The Inner Harbor Turning Basin will be widened by 334 feet, whereas the outer basin will be widened by 315 feet. The wider basin diameters will provide additional room for larger ships to safely turn, accommodating vessels approximately 1,310 feet long and 193 feet wide with cargo capacities up to 19,000 twenty-foot equivalent units.
The port will implement landside work as part of the initiative, including removing property at Howard Terminal and the Alameda Site. New bulkheads will be installed at those locations along the shoreline, and land will be removed through excavation and dredging. Project crews will also install electrical infrastructure near Berth 26 to facilitate additional operations.
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