Charleston approves capital projects

The work involves removing all above- and below-ground buildings, structures, pavements and utilities within Phase I of the new container terminal, which covers approximately 171 acres, at a cost of US$1m. Getting underway in September, this phase of demolition will be completed in about six months. Two test embankment sites have already been constructed to determine soil conditions, and in June the Board approved an US$8m contract for construction management services related to site preparation of Phase I.

The board also awarded a US$1.4m contract for berth maintenance dredging, with 225,000 cubic yards of silt to be removed from berths at three SCSPA terminals. Columbus Street Terminal will be dredged to 52 ft at mean low water (MLW) in Berth 3 and to 42 ft MLW in Berths 4 and 5. Union Pier Terminal will be dredged to 45 ft MLW and the Wando Welch Terminal to 50 ft MLW. Work will continue through to November.

In addition, to support increased customer demand and the move of the Grand Alliance carriers to North Charleston Terminal, the board approved a US$2.1m project to prepare a container marshalling area and to provide an additional 154 reefer points. Construction of the new plugs will be completed by January 2008.