§ 4.1.2. Proposed Maintenance Improvements

The Port will continue to perform routine maintenance as required on Port-owned infrastructure, including existing roads and railroad tracks, operating yards, and drainage improvements. This work will be programmed to maintain a good state of repair and in anticipation of increased traffic volumes associated with overall Port growth. Implementation will depend on funding availability.

The following maintenance components are planned for the five-year capital improvement program (see Chapter 7):

Berth Rehabilitation and Reconstruction. First built in the mid-1970s, Berths 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11 have reached their design life and are due for rehabilitation. To avoid further deterioration and perhaps collapse, these berths should be rehabilitated, upgraded, and/or reconstructed during the short-term planning horizon or when fiscally possible. Improvements will include shoring up aprons and refurbishing/replacing pilings to accommodate yard equipment and heavy-lift mobile cranes, as applicable. Berth 9 reconstruction is currently underway.

Road and Railroad Maintenance. The Port will continue to upgrade and rehabilitate existing roads and railroad tracks within the Port, as required, including rail-tie replacement, ballast, and resurfacing. Funds will also be used for existing locomotive maintenance. This work will be done to maintain a good state of repair and in anticipation of the increased volumes and loads associated with additional bulk and containerized cargo throughput.

Drainage Management. Currently, there are no known drainage issues in the Port. As noted in Section 4.2.4, below, the Port's stormwater management plan will be modified as needed to sustain expansion and the increase of impervious surface area. Nominal maintenance costs have been designated in the Five-Year Capital Improvement Program.

Yard Maintenance. The periodic patching of paved areas throughout the Port has continued to sufficiently maintain the structural integrity of operating areas. Even though the associated estimated costs have been identified in the Five-Year Capital Improvement Program in Chapter 7, it is possible that certain yard maintenance may be delayed to allow cash flow to be directed to capital investments. A cost-benefit analysis would also possibly help to prioritize maintenance expenditures.