Honolulu container yard work begins

Honolulu container yard work begins    Hawaii Gov. Linda Lingle, Sen. Daniel K. Inouye, Maritime Administrator David T. Matsuda were among those attending a groundbreaking ceremony last Friday marking the start of a reconstruction of Honolulu Harbor's Pier 29 Container Yard.
   The project is funded with $24.5 million under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
   The U.S. Transportation Department said the Pier 29 cargo yard suffered failures and was rendered unusable in 2008. It said the new pier will increase harbor efficiency and safety by improving 12 acres of existing port yard area to support cargo operations. It is due to reopen in December 2011.
   Construction will include new pavement, drainage, water, lighting, sewer, fire protection and electrical systems. Ultimately, Pier 29 will shift truck traffic away from highly congested areas to further improve freight efficiencies and air quality.