The Port of Tacoma has begun work on a $31 million expansion of the Washington United Terminals wharf located in the Blair Waterway.
On Friday, project contractor Manson Construction, of Seattle, began driving the first of 361 concrete pilings that will ultimately serve as the foundation for the 600-foot-long wharf extension. Manson hopes to have nearly 30 of the pilings driven in place before work is halted for the fish migration season that begins in mid-February and extends to mid-July. The project schedule calls for the extended berth to be completed by July 2011.
The extended wharf, in conjunction with two new super post-Panamax gantry cranes installed by terminal owner Hyundai Merchant marine early last year, will allow the terminal to service the largest of container vessels.
