Officials from the Port of Oakland and the Army Corps of Engineers have signed an agreement to widen and modernize Oakland’s turning basins that will allow the world’s next generation of large and environmentally advanced vessels to call Oakland.
The design agreement is the first step in what will ultimately become a $640 million infrastructure project that will keep the Port of Oakland a competitive port city as cargo vessels continue to grow larger and become more efficient.
“Investing in critical infrastructure today ensures Oakland remains a competitive port city for generations to come,” said Kristi McKenney, Port of Oakland Executive Director. “Larger vessels and taller cranes are the lifeline to our regional economy, and we’re grateful our partners at the Army Corps of Engineers share our vision for a more prosperous, efficient, and safer future.”
The design agreement was signed aboard the historic USS Potomac – nicknamed “The Floating White House” by President Franklin D. Roosevelt.
The Oakland Harbor Turning Basins Widening Project started roughly in 2020 and is expected to be completed in 2030. The project underwent an extensive community outreach process and completed the environmental review process to ensure any impacts to the waterfront were safely mitigated.
According to the Port, dredging from the project will create new beneficial reuse opportunities for the Montezuma Wetlands restoration project in Solano County.