A US$40 million project deepening the Port of Long Beach main channel to allow safer transit for the largest ships including oil tankers was officially launched Tuesday by the port and the US Army Corps of Engineers.
The Army Corps is overseeing the project with support from port engineers and the dredging work is being performed by Manson Construction. Funding was provided by the port and the Army Corps, and includes $2.4 million in federal economic stimulus money.
In addition to the main channel deepening, the project involves dredging at the Catalina Express ferry landing in downtown Long Beach and the removal and containment of decades-old contaminated sediments in the harbour.
After the project is complete, the largest oil tankers bound for the BP crude oil terminal will be able to turn around in the port and to approach their berths fully loaded. Now, the largest ships have to be partially unloaded or "lightered" offshore before docking.
