Infra Insight Blog

Today, US DOT is formally announcing 26 INFRA grant award winners.  The INFRA program is the Administration’s rebranding of the former FASTLANE grant program, authorized by the 2015 FAST Act.  Both programs were intended to prioritize highway projects, although congestion-reducing rail and port infrastructure projects are eligible.

Among the 26 winners is the Philadelphia Regional Port Authority (PhilaPort), which received a $25.5M grant for a $110.5M project to improve the Packer Avenue Marine Terminal. The project will add capacity to modernize the Terminal, including deeper berths (45-feet) to match the new 45-foot depth of the Delaware River’s main channel; four new electric engine cranes; two crane conversions (diesel to electric); demolition of antiquated warehouse facilities and construction of a new temperature controlled warehouse, with related offsite warehouse improvements; and added crane rail tracks.

The Packer Avenue Marine Terminal improvements will increase PhilaPort’s ability and efficiency service marine vessels visiting the port, including the large Post-Panamax vessels.

PhilaPort is leveraging the INFRA grant with State and private sector investment and incorporating the life-cycle costs of the Packer Avenue Marine Terminal improvements. Astro Holdings, Inc., the tenant of the Packer Avenue Marine Terminal, will purchase one of the new cranes for the terminal and dedicate significant privately-owned port acreage as part of the project.

USDOT is required to notify the congressional authorizing committees of jurisdiction of the proposed projects selected under the INFRA program. The list must remain with the committees for a 60-day review period before the agency can award the grants.