SEATTLE -- The Tacoma Harbor Navigation Improvement Project reached a major milestone this week with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Lt. Gen. Scott A. Spellmon’s signing of the project’s Chief of Engineers’ Report May 26. This sets the stage for Congress to consider action to authorize and fund the project to deepen the Blair Waterway enabling the Port of Tacoma to handle new, larger container ships.
“The Seattle District conducted a multi-year study to address the port’s need to accommodate future generations of container ships,” said Col. Alexander L. Bullock, Seattle District commander. “The robust analysis shows it is both economically and environmentally feasible and may result in cost and time savings, lowering project operations and maintenance costs, as well as allowing for the removal of draft restrictions for certain vessels.”
“This project represents a vital partnership between the USACE and the Port of Tacoma. Completion of the waterway deepening will greatly improve the ability of the Port and The Northwest Seaport Alliance to remain competitive and provide greater economic benefits and job growth for our entire region,” said Don Meyer, Port of Tacoma Commission President.
The Blair Waterway is currently authorized to 51 feet, the proposed project would deepen the channel to 57 feet so larger vessels will be able to use the waterway.
In the past decade, ships calling at the Port of Tacoma have increased in size and draft at a dramatic pace. The larger vessels have draft requirements deeper than 51 feet when fully laden, and therefore face tidal delays and other transportation inefficiencies when arriving and departing the waterways.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers estimates an economic benefit of $10 for every dollar spent on the project, which will improve the port as a critical gateway for import and export of goods moving between Asia and the U.S. Midwest.
In addition to deepening the waterway, the draft integrated feasibility report and environmental assessment recommends a plan to expand channel widths ranging from 450 feet to 865 feet and expand the turning basin boundary to a diameter of 1,935 feet.
Approximately 2.8 million cubic yards of dredged material would be placed at a beneficial use site. Approximately 562,000 cubic yards of dredged material would be placed in the Dredged Material Management Program (DMMP) Commencement Bay open water disposal site and approximately 392,000 cy would be placed at an upland facility. USACE is investigating location options that will be environmentally beneficial for the remaining materials.
The next steps in the project, if authorized and funded by Congress, include a multi-year design phase followed by contract award and completion.
For additional information on the Tacoma Harbor Navigation Improvement Project and to view the Chief's Report, visit https://go.usa.gov/xJY3R.
More information about the Port of Tacoma and the Northwest Seaport Alliance can be found at www.portoftacoma.com and www.nwseaportalliance.com.