As part of Mayor Thomas M. Menino’s Boston Recovery Plan to secure the city’s economic future, the Mayor and John F. Palmieri, Director of the Boston Redevelopment Authority, today announced that the City has recently applied to the U.S. Department of Transportation for $84 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Funding for major transportation infrastructure projects through the Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grant program. The City’s proposal, submitted by the BRA, is for the Port of Boston project which encompasses four specific shovel ready infrastructure projects that, if funded, would create more than 600 construction jobs in the city over a 2-year construction period as well as 900 construction jobs and 3,500 permanent jobs in the city over a 20-year build-out period.

“These projects clearly meet the spirit of the TIGER grant program’s anticipated long-term outcomes by maintaining the state of good repair of the city’s and region’s transportation infrastructure, which will improve the economic competiveness of the city, region and the U.S.,” Mayor Menino said. “Investment in these infrastructure improvements will transform the Boston Marine Industrial Park into a 21st century multi-modal port. If funded, construction will start in 2010 and help us double cruise capacity and decrease truck trips. I’m proud of the application that we submitted and I believe that funding from the TIGER grant for the BMIP will have a significant impact on our region. We will continue to take advantage of all potential ARRA funding sources to ensure Boston’s economic future.”

Located within the Boston Marine Industrial Park (BMIP), which is owned and managed by the BRA, and the Black Falcon Cruise Terminal, which is operated by the Massachusetts Port Authority, the projects will significantly upgrade port facilities. The $84 million grant will result in more than $380 million in private investment with planned fiscal impact of more than $49 million annually and $3 million during the infrastructure construction period, more than $18 million during the five year cruise terminal expansion, and more than $361 million during 20 years of a build-out of the remaining portion of the BMIP. The projects will create 901 jobs for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts including 620 jobs in the City of Boston over a 2-year construction period. The construction employment from the anticipated build-out of the project area will include 1,960 jobs for the Commonwealth including 900 jobs in the City of Boston over a 20-year build-out period. The annual permanent jobs upon completion of the build-out are 5,029 jobs for the Commonwealth including 3,500 jobs in Boston over the same 20-year build-out period.

“The long-term economic and maritime viability of the Port of Boston would greatly benefit from this federal stimulus grant. The creation of hundreds of construction jobs to implement shovel-ready projects to secure the financial future of this maritime area is a perfect example of one of the main goals of the ARRA and I am proud to support Mayor Menino's application for the TIGER grant,” said Congressman Stephen F. Lynch. “This project will help realize the full maritime potential of the Port of Boston to be a competitive, economic engine for the City of Boston as well as the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.”

Access to Port facilities by sea, rail and highway is essential to the survival of the seaport. The backbone of the port, the commercial shipping trade, whether for intermodal cargoes, fuel oil, cruise ships, seafood distribution, or bulk commodities, is entirely dependent on deep water ship channels, nearby rail service, and safe and efficient truck access. The Port and its industries annually handle more than $8 billion in goods and employ more than 9,000 people.

“It is my hope that the City of Boston’s application for the Tiger grant is funded for infrastructure improvements to the Boston Marine Industrial Park,” said Senator Jack Hart. “The proposed BMIP improvements will stimulate our local and regional economy. The significant economic impacts should be realized especially in terms of jobs creation, business opportunities and environmental impacts.”

Port of Boston Projects:

1. Expansion of Black Falcon Cruise terminal - $30 million

This project involves the rehabilitation of over 100,000 square feet of Building 119 of the former South Boston Army Base into a new cruise terminal that when combined with the existing 55,000 square foot Black Falcon Cruise terminal will be able to accommodate multiple vessels simultaneously. The new terminal will be able to accommodate cruise ships with more than 4,000 passengers. The project will include an internal ground transportation area that would serve both the Black Falcon terminal and new terminal. The ground floor will include 50,000 square feet of baggage area, passenger and baggage screening and U.S. Customs primary check positions. The second floor will include passenger check-in facilities and queuing, U.S. Immigration primary check positions, and cruise line office space.

2. Track Improvement for the South Boston Marine Industrial Park Rail Road - $14 million

The Track 61 Project was initiated to restore existing freight rail lines at the BMIP and to extend the freight track to service additional areas of the BMIP. The BMIP is the only port to freight rail connection remaining in Boston. These improvements would provide the BMIP and region with a unique advantage in the market place as a result of the air, ship/barge, rail and highway connections that would be available to businesses. The project includes the rehabilitation of 2,860 linear feet of railroad track, the construction of 5,910 linear feet of new track, and associated roadway improvements and drainage modifications.

3. Improvements to the East, North and South Jetties - $34 million

The North, South and East Jetties were originally constructed in the early 1940’s. They are marginal wharf structures, parallel to the shore rather than extend out from the shore like piers. The length of the South Jetty is 900 feet, the East Jetty, 442 feet, and the North Jetty 900 feet. The existing Jetty structures are in poor condition and currently are not utilized due to their reduced structural capacity and dilapidated condition. Much of the reduced structural capacity is due to severe deterioration of the concrete with the exposed and corroded steel reinforcement within both the concrete deck structure and pile jackets.

4. Reconstruction of the FID Kennedy West and Access Roads - $6 million

The Project is intended to provide improved alternate access within the BMIP from Northern Avenue to the remote waterfront parcels east of FID Kennedy Avenue. The scope of work involves the full depth reconstruction of FID Kennedy Avenue and Access Road “A” and Access Road “B”. The MIP access roads were constructed over 20 years ago and are more adequately described as parking and access areas, not built to roadway standards. The proposed full depth reconstruction will be designed to a more suitable roadway standard, including sidewalks, trees, lighting and drainage facilities.

Click here to view the entire grant proposal.

Press Contact: Jessica Shumaker, BRA, 617.918.4446.

Release Date: October 27, 2009