The U.S. Department of Transportation recently awarded the Port of Philadelphia (PhilaPort) a $49 million Infrastructure for Rebuilding America (INFRA) Grant to construct a multi-use berth to accommodate roll-on, roll-off vessels.
Once completed, ships will be able to dock directly at PhilaPort’s Southport terminal, and cargo will be able to be stored near the berth. Completion of the project also will relieve congestion at other PhilaPort berths.
The project also is expected to help reduce emissions, increase the efficient movement of automobile exports, improve the facilities’ resiliency by addressing current or projected vulnerabilities, and create jobs.
“Congratulations to PhilaPort and the City of Philadelphia on the awarding of this substantial federal grant,” U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey (R-PA) said. “The funds provided by this grant will fund improvements that will foster economic development for the region and the nation in years to come. I was pleased to support this application.”
This is the first deepwater berth project at the port in nearly 50 years.
PhilaPort submitted its application in March to help cover the $130 million cost of the project.
The U.S. Department of Transportation received 173 INFRA Grant applications totaling $7.3 billion in funding requests and awarded 24 projects $906 million.