Virginia begins berth expansion

Virginia begins berth expansion The Virginia Port Authority has begun berth expansion at its terminal in Norfolk.
   Workers last week began driving test pilings at Norfolk International Terminals to begin a project that will further expand the port's cargo handling capacity.
   The project will extend the terminal's north berth by 900 feet, and add three Suez-class cranes. In addition the dockside depth is being dredged to 50 feet, and 19 acres of backlands/container yard is being reconfigured for straddle carrier operations. The dredging is underway and the backlands work is 98 percent complete.
   Cost of the projects is about $76 million: $32 million for the wharf expansion, $11.2 million for reconfiguring the backlands, $8.7 million for dredging, and an estimated $24 million for new cranes.