State awards Port of Oakland $119 million in sustainable transportation infrastructure grants

Oakland, Calif. – July 6, 2023:  The Port of Oakland today was awarded $119 million in grant funding from the State of California as part of the Port’s Freight Infrastructure Program (PFIP). The grant award is part of the $1.2 billion state-funded program that will support the Port in making critical infrastructure improvements at its maritime facilities and roadways that surround the Port, and to electrify Port cargo handling equipment. 

“The Port of Oakland thanks the State of California, Governor Gavin Newsom and all our legislative, business and community partners who worked diligently with the Port in the grant application process,” said Port of Oakland Executive Director Danny Wan. “We look forward to our continued work with California State Transportation Agency (CalSTA) Secretary Toks Omishakin to help us build for the next generation while meeting our environmental goals at the Oakland Seaport.”  

The $119 million in grant funds will support the delivery of marine terminal modernization and arterial roadway improvement projects. The projects are designed to expand green infrastructure and reduce Port congestion which in turn, will reduce diesel emission impacts.  

Marine terminal modernization improvements will include:  

• Launching the Port’s Outer Harbor Terminal green redevelopment to provide container capacity relief and electrical utility upgrades especially for refrigerated exports. These improvements will help the Port continue to be the preferred ‘green trade gateway’ for exporters and California’s agricultural growers and shippers;  

• Converting diesel-powered cargo handling equipment to zero-emissions equipment; 

• Wharf improvements including electrical infrastructure, mobile shore power outlet systems to reduce emissions; and bollard and fender replacement; and 

• Repaving Berths 32-33, resulting in removing the grade differential between adjacent marine terminals for increased operational flexibility. 

Arterial Roadway improvement projects will include:  

• Adeline Street Corridor improvements that will rehabilitate the roadway between 3rd and 7th Streets and rehabilitate 5th Street between Union and Adeline Streets. 

• 3rd Street Truck Corridor improvements to 3rd Street between Market and Broadway.This includes rehabilitating aging infrastructure sidewalks and roadways to improve overall safety for movement of vehicles, bicyclists and pedestrians.   

Infrastructure upgrades to the roadways will improve overall truck flow, safety and create system resiliency. These projects will also greatly reduce emissions and noise impacts which is an important concern for the communities surrounding Port facilities. 

“Ninety-nine percent of containerized goods in Northern California flow through the Port of Oakland and with these much-needed infrastructure updates we can continue to improve the flow of goods through our seaport," said Port of Oakland Maritime Director Bryan Brandes. “Implementing these projects will mean we can also address port-related supply chain congestion while continuing to ensure that we have modern, green, and efficient maritime facilities for the benefit of our customers, tenants and local residents.” 

PFIP grants support the congestion reduction efforts underway at California’s ports and increase the reliability and competitiveness of the state’s supply chain. The program seeks to improve the capacity, safety, efficiency and resilience of goods movement through California’s maritime ports, while also reducing greenhouse gas emissions and impacts to communities adjacent to the corridors and facilities used for freight transport. Learn more about the PFIP here. 

“CalSTA’s ‘Core Four’ priorities are safety, climate action, equity and economic prosperity, and the strategic investments announced today shine in all those areas,” said Transportation Secretary Toks Omishakin. “These awards – a direct result of Governor Newsom’s visionary leadership – will help maintain our state’s competitive edge in our nation-leading supply chain infrastructure and will create a cleaner, safer and more efficient goods movement system that will have a lasting positive impact for the people of California. The historic level of state funding also puts these projects in a stronger position to compete for significant federal infrastructure dollars from the Biden-Harris Administration.” 

 The Port of Oakland’s comprehensive environmental and electrification efforts, including the projects supported by the PFIP grant, will further advance green technology upgrades at the Seaport which is vital for neighboring communities that face impacts from port and freight operations. From the roadways to the maritime terminals, reducing congestion will deliver improvements for goods movement stakeholders that benefit Oakland and the greater Northern California region.    

About the Port of Oakland 

The Port of Oakland oversees the Oakland Seaport, Oakland International Airport, nearly 20 miles of waterfront including Jack London Square, and a publicly owned utility. The Port's 5-year strategic plan - Growth with Care - pairs business expansion with community benefits, envisioning more jobs and economic stimulus as the Port grows. Together with its business partners, the Port supports more than 98,000 jobs. Connect with the Port of Oakland and Oakland International Airport through Facebook or with the Port on Twitter, YouTube, and at www.portofoakland.com.  

Media Contacts

Robert Bernardo
Port of Oakland
Communications Director
(510) 627-1401
[email protected] 

Marilyn Sandifur
Port of Oakland
Media/PR Manager
(510) 627-1193
[email protected]

David DeWitt
Port of Oakland
Media/PR Specialist
(510) 627-1169
[email protected]