Port of Hueneme breaks ground on deepening project

The project, which is expected to be completed by March 2020, will deepen the harbor from 35 to 40 feet.    The Port of Hueneme broke ground Thursday on its estimated $20 million project that will deepen its harbor from 35 to 40 feet.
   More than half of the funding — $12.3 million — came from a Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery Grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation.
   The project, which is expected to be finished by March 2020, will make the port more efficient because vessels will no longer have to wait for high tide to enter the harbor, the port said in a press release. 
   “Not only will this project create an additional 500-plus jobs, it will safeguard our environment,” said CEO and Port Director Kristin Decas. “The pilings used in stabilizing the wharf are an ecofriendly alternative made out of recycled plastic bottles. Our sand removed from the harbor will have a second life as well, being used as near-shore beach renourishment to protect our local Hueneme beach from erosion.”
   In July, the southern California port received two rail cars of eco-friendly pilings that were to support and reinforce its South Terminal.
   The Port of Hueneme also joined the state’s 10 other public seaports Wednesday at the state capitol for the second-annual California Ports Day. The two-day event featured the California Maritime Leadership Symposium, which brought together the public ports, members of state legislature, representatives from the environmental sustainability community, leaders of the goods movement transportation industries and various state agencies.
   “This symposium serves as a brain trust to chart the course for continuing our collective environmental sustainability efforts,” said Oxnard Harbor District Commissioner Jason Hodge. “Collaboratively, our ports have reduced air emissions by 80 percent (particular matter), 90 percent (SOx) and 50 percent (NOx).”