Contacts:
Larry Kieck, WisDOT Bureau of Rails and Harbors,
608-267-9319
Ethnie Groves, Office of the Governor, 608-261-2156
Governor Also Announces $1.2 Million HAP Grant for the Port of Sturgeon Bay
SUPERIOR – During a visit to Superior today, Governor Jim
Doyle announced two state Harbor Assistance Program (HAP) grants totaling
nearly $2.3 million to make improvements to two ports on the Great Lakes,
retaining jobs and helping the communities remain attractive destinations
for shippers worldwide. The Governor announced a $1,078,400 HAP grant to
the City of Superior to complete dredging and rebuild a 1,250-foot pier at
the General Mills grain elevator at the Port of Superior, and a $1.2 million
HAP grant to complete improvements at the Port of Sturgeon Bay.
“Wisconsin’s port facilities are an important component of
our state’s economy and transportation system, moving some 40 million tons
of goods worth over $7 billion each year,” Governor Doyle said. “The State
of Wisconsin is proud to partner with the City of Superior on this project
to improve its port and strengthen the state’s overall economic foundation.”
The dredging work at the Port of Superior will maintain
adequate water depth, while the pier reconstruction will extend the life of
the grain elevator. The original pier was constructed in the early 1900’s
and modified throughout the 30’s, 40’s, and 50’s. In 2001, a ship severely
damaged a section of the pier.
The HAP grant to the City of Sturgeon Bay will allow for
dredging and rebuilding of a dockwall, enabling two additional 1,000-foot
lake freighters to be secured for winter maintenance. Work on both projects
is expected to be completed by the end of 2005.
Both projects received favorable recommendations from the
state Harbor Advisory Council and Wisconsin Department of Transportation
(WisDOT) Secretary Frank Busalacchi. Successful projects must pass a
rigorous cost/benefit analysis and require a 20 percent local match.
The HAP program assists harbor communities to maintain and
improve waterborne commerce. Port projects typically involve dock
reconstruction, mooring structure replacement, dredging, and the
construction of facilities to hold dredged material. Since 1980, WisDOT has
provided about $41.3 million in matching funds for some 50 port preservation
and improvement projects.
