Port of Oakland to make about $600m in capital improvements

Projects include the separation of railroad tracks from major port roadways, the creation of a refrigerated cargo facility, and the expansion of the TraPac terminal.    The Port of Oakland said it is making about $600 million in capital improvements in order to boost containerized cargo volumes.
   John Driscoll, the port’s maritime director told an American Association of Port Authorities conference in Tampa last week that the port is teaming up with private developers and public agencies to modernize infrastructure.
   Proposed investments include:
     • $244 million, mostly from government grants, to separate railroad tracks from major port roadways;
     • $90 million for a privately built refrigerated warehouse called “Cool Port” to increase chilled beef and pork exports;
     • And $50 million expansion, also privately financed, at TraPac, the port’s second-largest marine terminal.
   In addition, Driscoll said the port has just completed a $100 million railyard near its marine terminals that will result in more efficient transloading of cargo between railcars and containers.