By Karen Robes Meeks
The Port of Bellingham’s recently approved $58 million budget for 2018 prioritizes investments in infrastructure, environmental cleanup, the downtown waterfront and economic development.
The port’s fiscal plan includes:
More than $7 million invested into Bellingham Shipping Terminal for large equipment, power upgrades and main pier improvements;
$2.6 million toward a new commercial fishing web house in Blaine and the removal of the current web house to improve the layout of Blaine Marine Industrial Park;
$12.5 million to clean up historic contamination at Fairhaven Shipyard, improve marine habitat and modernize aging infrastructure; and
More than $1 million in new infrastructure to continue supporting the Waterfront District.
Next year, the port also plans to support the Fairhaven Quiet Zone and curb train horn noise by upgrading the railroad crossings at Harris Avenue, the Alaska Ferry access road, and in Fairhaven Marine Industrial Park.