BELLINGHAM, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – The Port of Bellingham is receiving nearly $18 million in federal funds to help upgrade its shipping terminal.
U.S. Senators Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell along with U.S. Representative Rick Larsen announced the grant on Monday, June 24, as part of nearly $90 million in funding across the state.
The grant will fund the final design and construction to connect the Bellingham Shipping Terminal to the BNSF railway mainline to load cargo more safely and efficiently.
The Port says the project will connect them to over 32,000 miles of track in 28 states and three Canadian provinces, helping to reduce congestion in Vancouver and the greater Puget Sound area. The rail connection project is just one aspect of the Port of Bellingham’s plans to renovate its shipping terminal.
The Port says that $45 million will be invested into the renovations over the next two years to help strengthen the main dock in an effort to support a wider range of heavy cargo and equipment.
The modernization project is expected to finish in 2025.
