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Port of Oakland Golden Gate Ports Association (415) 986-0693 |
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| Robust ports are critical to California's economic health. They generate $23.7 billion in revenues, contribute $40.6 billion to the national economic output and help create 278,000 jobs statewide. To continue this kind of productivity, our ports need refurbishment and enlarging. For example, the Port of Oakland, the fourth largest container port in the U.S. and the only gateway for containerized cargo in Northern California, must significantly upgrade its facilities or lose the opportunity of becoming a major load center for cargo moving between Asia and the States. In recent years, the port has lost business to its rivals in Long Beach and Seattle, where the ports are deeper and the rail connections superior. The Port is currently one-fifth the size of the Port of Long Beach. Much of the Port of Oakland's future hinges on completion of a three-part, $800 million plan that will double the size of its maritime facilities and modernize rail links. Construction began on Nov. 2, 1999. The $1.5 billion overall plan includes $200 million in improvements to the Jack London Square area and other estuary properties owned by the Port. Another $250 million will be spent dredging shipping channels from 42 feet to 50 feet to allow the largest container ships to use the harbor without tidal restrictions. Without deepening its channels, providing better rail service and reconfiguring its terminals, the Port will have rough sailing in its effort to maintain it status as a major international trade handler. That's just one example of what needs to be done. Of California's 11 commercial ports, seven have identified $560 million in ground access needs alone over the next 10 years. All of these projects are largely unfunded. Updated March 17, 2000 |
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