Big Boost for Wando Welch Terminal

U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx announced a $10.8 million TIGER (Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery) grant for the rehabilitation of the Wando Welch Terminal project.

This is just out of 72 transportation projects in 46 states and the District of Columbia that will receive a total of approximately $600 million from the Department of Transportation’s discretionary grant program.

Maritime Administrator Paul ‘Chip’ Jaenichen visited the Port of Charleston last week to tour the project site and meet with port officials.

“As uncertainty about the future of long-term federal funding continues, this round of TIGER will be a shot in the arm for these innovative, job-creating and quality of life-enhancing projects,” said Secretary Foxx. “The new infrastructure we’re helping build at the Wando Welch Terminal means bigger ships coming to port here, which means more jobs and business throughout the region.

“It’s not just an investment in the Port, but in the entire community’s future. For every project we select, however, we must turn dozens more away – projects that could be getting done if Congress passed the GROW AMERICA Act, which would double the funding available for TIGER and growing the number of projects we could support.”

“For every project we select, however, we must turn dozens more away – projects that could be getting done if Congress passed the GROW AMERICA Act, which would double the funding available for TIGER and growing the number of projects we could support,” added Secretary Foxx.

As the U.S. economy continues to expand, increasingly larger ships that exceed the design capacity of the facility will call on the Port of Charleston to load and unload cargo. The TIGER funds will be used to provide structural repairs and upgrades to the wharf in order to berth the new generation of larger vessels.

The Wando Welch Terminal project will also increase the density of the wharf, making the pier structurally sound enough to store increased cargo volumes. Ultimately, these renovations maximize the usage of this terminal which handles 60 percent of the Port’s exports.

“Economic growth requires reliable infrastructure,” Administrator Jaenichen said. “The improvement and subsequent transformation of this wharf not only result in safe and streamlined work environment, but also increases the opportunities for growth in the existing export markets at our Nation’s ninth-busiest port.”