U.S. Secretary of Transportation Anthony Foxx Visits Port of Oakland

Secretary’s First Official West Coast Port Tour

U.S. Secretary of Transportation Anthony Foxx Visits Port of Oakland.

Oakland, CA – Nov. 18, 2013 – U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx made his first official West Coast port visit at the Port of Oakland Friday, Nov. 15, 2013. Secretary Foxx was provided a tour and briefing of regional transportation priorities including Port of Oakland infrastructure projects.

"U.S. ports generate billions of dollars in economic activity and are keeping our economy moving," said U.S. Secretary of Transportation Anthony Foxx. "At DOT, we've directed $417 million in TIGER grants to projects at 33 ports including $15 million here at the Port of Oakland, a major export gateway for American agricultural products, and as a result, U.S. exports will be more competitive."

The visit included a waterside tour that emphasized the regional water transportation network and the Port of Oakland maritime facilities. It also included a driving and site tour of the Oakland Global Trade and Logistics Center development, the location of the $15 million federal Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grant awarded in 2012.

America's West coast ports handle two-thirds of U.S. international trade and are among the largest employers and job creators in the United States. In order for the port system to sustain the nation's global commerce and trade needs and continue serving as economic engines for U.S. import and export economies, ports must continue to maintain a strong partnership with the federal government.

"The Port was honored to host U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx for a briefing on regional transportation and goods movement priorities," said Port Commission President Cestra "Ces" Butner. Butner added "It was an excellent opportunity to highlight our shore power project for reducing diesel emissions, the City and Port of Oakland's redevelopment of the former Oakland Army Base, and collaboration on freight issues with our regional, state and federal partners."

While visiting the former Oakland Army Base site with Secretary Foxx, Port of Oakland Executive Director Chris Lytle commented, "The City and the Port of Oakland's redevelopment of the former Oakland Army Base, Oakland Global, is a perfect example of leveraging a public/private partnership to build a world class trade and logistics center, which will promote efficient goods movement and grow jobs in our region."

About the Port of Oakland:
The Port of Oakland oversees the Oakland seaport and Oakland International Airport. The Port's jurisdiction includes 20 miles of waterfront from the Bay Bridge through Oakland International Airport. The Oakland seaport is the fifth busiest container port in the U.S.; Oakland International Airport is the second largest San Francisco Bay Area airport offering over 300 daily passenger and cargo flights; and the Port’s real estate includes commercial developments such as Jack London Square and hundreds of acres of public parks and conservation areas. Together, through Port operations and those of its tenants and users, the Port supports more than 73,000 jobs in the region and nearly 827,000 jobs across the United States. The Port of Oakland was established in 1927 and is an independent department of the City of Oakland. Connect with the Port of Oakland and Oakland International Airport through Facebook, or with the Port on Twitter, YouTube, and at www.portofoakland.com.