Peninsula Dredging Funds Earmarked From Army Corps Of Engineers

REDWOOD CITY, CA -- Nearly $8 million has been appropriated by the U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers to advance a dredging project at the Port of Redwood City, port officials said.

"This project is significant to the economic health of the Silicon Valley region, notably the construction industry as the port supplies construction materials to fuel construction needs locally," Port Commission chair Lorianna Kastrop said in a statement. "Additionally, dredging also supports personal water recreation use in and around the Redwood Creek channel," Kastrop said.

Port officials said dredging maintains and improves the width, depth and length to birth large vessels. It ensures continued ship access, better supports customers and grows operations by serving larger vessels and moving more cargo. Shipping alleviates traffic congestion on roads and reduces gas emissions. Three deep-water berths and five wharves support international trade and maritime activity in the Silicon Valley area and on the West Coast of the U.S., according to port officials.

Last year was a record year as the port moved 2.3 million metric tons of cargo, up 49 percent from last year and surpassing the previous record of 1.9 million metric tons set in 2005. The money, $7.95 million, will come from the corps of engineers' fiscal year 2019 work plan.

--Bay City News/Image via Neal McNamara, Patch