12 acres of harbor cargo site restored using federal funds

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DENNIS ODA / doda@staradvertiser.com

Clean Islands Council workers did maintenance Tuesday on an offshore firefighting pump at Pier 29. Koa Beasley, left, CIC project manager, said the reconstruction of Pier 29 has made a big difference in terms of vehicle safety.

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In 2008, concrete pavement at Pier 29 experienced structural failures that left all of the cargo yard virtually unusable.

Now, thanks to $24.5 million in federal stimulus money, a reconstruction project has restored 12 acres to Honolulu Harbor’s cargo-handling capacity while providing more space for more efficient and safer commercial operations, the state Department of Transportation said in a news release.

Honolulu Harbor’s Pier 29 Container Yard Reconstruction Project, dedicated Tuesday, is the first harbor project in the nation to receive federal stimulus funds through a special grant program.

"This project is a big win for the residents of Hawaii and an example of how this administration is putting people back to work, modernizing our transportation infrastructure and creating economic opportunities for our maritime industries," said U.S. Department of Transportation Maritime Administrator David Matsuda.

U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye, state and federal transportation officials and others hailed its completion Tuesday at a dedication ceremony at Pier 29, which is makai of the Hilo Hattie store on Nimitz Highway.

The $29 million project received a $24.5 million jump-start in federal stimulus funds through the Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery Discretionary Grant Program.

The project began Aug. 20, 2010.

In addition to the concrete pavement reconstruction, new drainage, water, lighting, sewer, fire protection and electrical systems were installed. This increased "Honolulu Harbor’s cargo capacity by creating more space for additional container ships and commerce," the DOT said.

"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," Transportation Director Glenn Okimoto said. "We want to thank Sen. Inouye and our congressional delegation for their strong support and our partners at the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration for making this project possible."