Port of LA: Huge Capital Investment Program Approved

The Harbor Commissioner's Fiscal 2013-14 Budget Includes $399.9-million capital expenditure to improve cargo flow and dfficiency.

The Los Angeles Harbor Commission has adopted a 2013-14 fiscal year (FY) budget of approximately $1.1 billion for the Port of Los Angeles, including one of the largest annual Capital Improvement Programs -- $399.9 million or 37% of the total budget -- in Port history. The budget supports more than 8,500 jobs, 6,870 of which are attributable to construction project spending in the coming fiscal year which begins July 1.

The capital spending budget earmarks more than $380 million for container terminal and transportation upgrades, including:

• More than $99 million at the TraPac container terminal for backland improvements to support future terminal automation as well as construction of a facility to provide on-dock rail capabilities, which will result in all Port of L.A. container terminals equipped with on-dock rail.
• $41.5 million in construction at China Shipping Terminal, which includes completion of 375 linear feet of expanded wharf and backland improvements.
• Almost $96 million for the installation of Alternative Maritime Power™ stations at major container terminals including APMT, APL, Evergreen, Yang Ming and China Shipping. These stations reduce emissions from container vessels by “plugging in” to shore side power instead of running on diesel power.
• $8.2 million for the audit, design, and construction of required upgrades at liquid bulk oil cargo handling facilities throughout the Port, pursuant to requirements of the State Lands Marine Oil Terminal Engineering Maintenance Standards.
• Over $15 million for other terminal projects including wharf and backland development at APL, equipment and wharf upgrades at Evergreen, and pavement replacement at APMT.
• Almost $78 million related to construction at the Berth 200 rail yard, a pivotal piece of the Port’s overall goods movement plan to facilitate more fuel-efficient, faster and safer rail operations throughout the Port complex.
• $33.2 million for the South Wilmington Grade Separation project, which will provide unimpeded grade-separated vehicle access to businesses throughout the Wilmington Waterfront while allowing public safety vehicles unobstructed access to the area.
•  Another $8.8 million for additional transportation projects including Harry Bridges Boulevard Improvements, the Advanced Transportation Management Information System, and the C Street/I-110 Access Ramp Improvements.

The FY 2013-14 budget builds on a year in which the Port made significant progress on a number of fronts, including completion of its Main Channel Deepening Project that now allows accommodation of new modern, larger vessels at the Port; the significant reduction of elemental carbon concentration in the Port area to its lowest levels since data collection began in 2005; and maintaining the Port’s strong financial position and its “AA” bond rating – the highest rating given to a port without taxing authority.