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Port of Tacoma commissioners approve six‑foot deepening of Blair Waterway; work to continue through 2031
Summary
Port of Tacoma commissioners unanimously authorized projects to deepen the Blair Waterway and berth areas by six feet to accommodate larger container ships; commissioners said clean dredge material will be used to build salmon habitat and work will extend through 2031.
Port of Tacoma commissioners voted unanimously to authorize projects to deepen the Blair Waterway and berth areas by six feet, aiming to handle larger container ships and keep the gateway competitive.
The port announced the projects during its monthly update to the public. "The motion passes unanimously," a meeting narrator said after commissioners discussed the work. The port intends to use clean dredge material from the project to construct a new salmon habitat site.
Commissioners said deepening and berth work will extend through 2031; the projects are part of the port's longer-term strategy to maintain cargo capacity. The port also reported outreach activities and partnerships in May, including hosting career events for high school students and meetings with federal and state officials about trade and transportation policy.
The port highlighted related investments and programs: the Maritime 253 skill center adjacent to a future port business office, weekly cargo updates from the Northwest Seaport Alliance, and national attention to the Lower Wapato Creek Habitat Project, a mitigation and habitat effort built in partnership with the Puyallup Tribe of Indians.
The port said public meetings are open to comment and that agendas and newsletters (Pierside) are available on portoftacoma.com.
