On November 15, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MARAD) announced plans to invest nearly $580 million from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to fund 31 port improvement projects in 15 states and one U.S. territory. As part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, this funding will help increase both capacity and efficiency at coastal seaports, Great Lakes ports, and inland river ports. The port improvement projects will strengthen supply chain reliability, create workforce development opportunities, enhance freight efficiency, lower costs, reduce emissions, and improve the safety, reliability, and resilience of our ports.
The funding comes from MARAD’s Port Infrastructure Development Program (PIDP), which received $2.25 billion from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to improve port infrastructure to meet the nation’s freight transportation needs. The program provides planning support, capital funding, and project management assistance to improve the capacity and efficiency of ports in both urban and rural areas.
Among the organizations receiving awards are the following members of the Coalition for America's Gateways & Trade Corridors:
-
- The Port of Oakland received $49.5 million for its Outer Harbor Terminal Infrastructure Modernization Project. The project involves wharf strengthening and structural repairs, including crane girder upgrades, added piling, beam strengthening, and crane rail replacement.
- Port Houston received $23.36 million for its Agricultural Export Improvement and Community Resilience Project. This project will expand a grain elevator at the Port of Houston Authority’s Turning Basin and expand stormwater capacity infrastructure for the port and surrounding community by constructing the first phase of a drainage improvement project.
- The Northwest Seaport Alliance received $11.65 million Pierce County Terminal Efficiency Project. The project consists of converting all lighting to LED lights, installing reefers on racks with power infrastructure for approximately 198 refrigerated containers, and rebuilding the terminal transfer zone.
Read the full release from USDOT here.
The National Association of Waterfront Employers (NAWE) Board of Directors announced that the Honorable Carl Bentzel has been elected to serve as the association’s new president, effective December 16, 2024. As part of this role, he will also serve as the Executive Director of the National Maritime Safety Association (NMSA).
“I am honored to join the National Association of Waterfront Employers and the National Maritime Safety Association in this pivotal role. As we navigate a dynamic era for our industry, I look forward to working alongside industry leaders to enhance port operations, advance workforce safety, and strengthen our collective resilience to meet evolving challenges,” said Carl Bentzel, NAWE’s president-elect. “I am also deeply thankful for my time at the Federal Maritime Commission and the opportunity to work with such dedicated colleagues who share a commitment to the success and integrity of our maritime industry.
Mr. Bentzel is currently serving his first term as a Commissioner at the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC), which he commenced in December 2019, after having been nominated by President-elect, Donald J. Trump. He was re-nominated by President Joseph R. Biden in July of this year.
For over thirty years, Mr. Bentzel has contributed at the highest levels considering maritime policy and issues related to the nation’s supply chain. He worked for close to fifteen years as senior counsel on maritime and transportation shipping issues, where amongst other issues, he developed legislation that governs international container and cargo shipping including the Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 1998. In the aftermath of the attacks of 9/11, he was one of the primary negotiators to implement new security standards at U.S. ports with the adoption of the Maritime Security Act of 2002. For his efforts on maritime security, the U.S. Coast Guard awarded him the U.S. Coast Guard’s medal for Meritorious Public Service.
Read the full release here.
Nossaman attorneys and policy advisors are innovators who take pride in finding creative solutions to the complex infrastructure and transportation challenges that public agencies face every day. We have the deepest bench of infrastructure attorneys in the nation and have extensive experience advising public owners and guiding them through the development and delivery of signature projects that help enhance our U.S. trade corridors, gateways and intermodal connectors.
We have comprehensive experience in all aspects of infrastructure and project finance, having played key roles on some of the largest and most innovative infrastructure financings in the U.S., including a large percentage of the transactions closed under the Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA) and Private Activity Bonds (PABs) programs.
We have extensive experience working with the White House, Office of Management and Budget, U.S. Department of Transportation and its modal Administrations, Environmental Protection Agency, and other Executive Branch agencies relevant to international trade and goods movement.
Our attorneys also offer practical experience, insider insight and thoughtful analysis on our Infra Insight Blog. We blog about what we know best, from industry-leading procurements to important policy developments that affect the market and our clients. We invite you to subscribe so you don't miss our updates!
Nossaman is an active member of the Coalition for America’s Gateways & Trade Corridors (CAGTC). Shant Boyajian, Partner for Nossaman, serves on the CAGTC Board of Directors and generously offers his time and expertise to the Coalition.
Recent projects we have advised our clients on include:
LA Metro. Nossaman provides federal advocacy services to LA Metro on a variety of issues related to transportation funding and policy. Currently, we advise LA Metro on IIJA implementation, goods movement and freight corridor issues, innovative financing programs, federal procurement and domestic preference requirements, LA Metro’s innovation campus concept, and several other high-profile matters. We also serve as legal counsel to LA Metro on the development, procurement, contract negotiation, and implementation of LA Metro’s major projects.
Harbor Department of the City of Los Angeles (Port of Los Angeles) – Government Relations. Nossaman represents the Port of Los Angeles before the U.S. Congress, the White House, and federal Executive Branch agencies on funding, financing and policy issues relating to infrastructure, transportation, technology, workforce, cybersecurity and commerce. Our services include advising on federal and state funding, creating comprehensive legislative and policy strategies, coordinating complex advocacy campaigns, drafting legislative language and advocacy materials, developing coalitions and leading engagement efforts with policymakers.
Port Authority of New York and New Jersey – Federal Grant Consulting Services. Nossaman advises the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey on delivery of its 10-year capital plan, including project sequencing and scoping, federal grant funding strategy and federal compliance issues.
Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development – I-10 Calcasieu River Bridge Public-Private Partnership Project. Nossaman is advising on the LA DOTD’s second P3 project. The project includes design and construction of a new six-lane bridge on Interstate 10 over the Calcasieu River in Lake Charles, development of a new toll system, modification and relocation of existing roadways and demolition and removal of the existing bridge. The $2.3 billion project reached financial close in August of 2024.
Michigan Department of Transportation – I-75 Modernization Project (Segment 3) P3. Nossaman is advising on an availability payment P3 concession for the widening and reconstruction of a portion of Interstate 75 in the Detroit area. The $600 million capital cost project is the first major upgrade done on the highway since its construction in the 1960s. The project adds a lane in each direction and includes construction of a major underground stormwater tunnel. MDOT opened significant portions of the project in 2023-2024 after reaching completion on a number of key areas.
Indiana Finance Authority/Indiana Department of Transportation – P3 and Design-Build Program. Nossaman is advising the Authority on availability payment projects within its innovative P3 and design-build infrastructure program. Indiana has established itself as a national leader in leveraging private-sector capital and innovation to finance, construct and maintain major transportation infrastructure projects.
Texas Department of Transportation. Nossaman is special counsel to the Texas Department of Transportation for its massive design-build and P3 program.
The Board of Port Commissioners has selected Scott Chadwick to serve as the Port of San Diego’s next President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Chadwick is currently the city manager of the City of Carlsbad and was selected from among several hundred applicants after a thorough and far-reaching search that began in February. His contract is anticipated to be ratified at the December 10 Board meeting, and he is scheduled to begin at the Port in mid-January.
“The Board and I are pleased to announce the selection of Scott Chadwick to lead the Port of San Diego into a people-focused future that reflects our commitment to deliver on our promises to our communities, our tenants, the residents of the state of California, and to all who visit our beautiful waterfront,” said Chairman Frank Urtasun, Port of San Diego Board of Port Commissioners. “In Scott, we have a proven leader who believes that people and relationships are of utmost importance in public service and in business. He will inspire us all to do our best work.”
Chadwick brings with him 20 years of city government experience, including over six years in Carlsbad and approximately 14 years at the City of San Diego in various roles including chief operating officer, human resources director, and labor relations director. Earlier in his career, he worked at AFSCME Council 36, Local 127 in San Diego for five years after serving in the U.S. Army for eight years as an intelligence analyst. Chadwick graduated from Purdue University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science. He grew up in San Diego County and now resides with his family in Point Loma.
Read the full release here.
Voters Nov. 5 approved 77 percent of 370 state and local ballot initiatives that are expected to generate $41.4 billion in new and renewed funding for roads, bridges, trails and rails, according to initial results compiled by the American Road & Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA).
Some revenue will be available immediately through bond agreements, while most will be generated through sales, property, or other taxes collected gradually over as many as 30 years.
Among the key outcomes:
- South Carolina: Four out of nine counties renewed or enacted a local sales tax for transportation purposes, approving $11.7 billion in funding for roads, bridges, and transit.
- Arizona: Voters renewed a half-cent transportation sales tax, which will generate $14.9 billion in revenue for another two decades.
- Nashville: Voters approved $3.1 billion for the city’s transit system, sidewalks, and roads after overwhelmingly supporting a half-cent sales tax increase.
Read the full report here.
On November 12, 2024, a divided (2-1) panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit issued a ruling invalidating the Council on Environmental Quality’s (CEQ) National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) regulations because NEPA does not grant CEQ the authority to issue rules binding on other federal agencies. The Court’s ruling is likely to send shockwaves through the regulated and regulator communities alike and may result in no small degree of confusion as federal agencies, project proponents and courts grapple with the implications of the decision.
Read the full release here.