NORTH AMERICA

Seattle development brought forward

10 years ago

Port of Seattle has launched a public comment period on the proposed redevelopments to its marine cargo facilities at Terminal 5.

An EIS is being prepared on the development project at the Port of Seattle

The port is preparing an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) on the project which includes berth deepening, dock strengthening, and power upgrades to handle larger cranes.

“The Northwest Seaport Alliance needs to make Terminal 5 ‘Big Ship Ready’ to remain competitive in today’s global economy,” said Connie Bacon, the Northwest Seaport Alliance’s (NWSA) co-chair and Port of Tacoma commission president.

Public comments on the Draft EIS will be accepted from May 23 to June 21, these will be included in the SEPA record and may result in corrections, additions or clarification to the Draft EIS.

The Port of Seattle is also hosting two public hearings for people to share comments on the Draft EIS on Tuesday June 7 and Thursday June 9.

When completed in 2019, the redevelopment will see the 185-acre facility capable of handling vessels with capacities as much as 18,000 teu.

The EIS will address the propped depending of the berth to 55ft, dock strengthening to accommodate super post-Panamax ship-to-shore cranes and power upgrades to handle the increased demands to reduce harmful emissions.

John Creighton, NWSA co-chair and Port of Seattle Commission president, said: “Modernising Terminal 5 will allow us to keep good paying middle class jobs in our region. We encourage the public to weigh in over the next 30 days with their comments about the proposed improvements—either on-line at your convenience or by attending one of our public hearings.”

The Draft EIS is available online on the Port of Seattle website.