The Port of Richmond has been awarded $11.22 million through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Port Infrastructure Development Program to support rehabilitation work at Berth 7 at the Point Potrero Marine Terminal.
The funding, administered by the Maritime Administration, will help advance the Port’s Dock Restoration for Improved Vehicle Entry (DRIVE) Project, which is focused on restoring and modernizing the roll-on/roll-off berth used to handle imported vehicles and other cargo.
According to the Port, the total project cost is approximately $14.03 million, with the Port providing a 20% local match.
Port officials said Berth 7 currently faces operational constraints tied to aging infrastructure. Planned upgrades include structural rehabilitation of the wharf, deck and surface restoration, increased load-bearing capacity, and improvements aimed at strengthening resilience against seismic activity and climate-related impacts.
The Port said the work is intended to restore the berth’s operational capacity and allow it to handle heavier and more diverse cargoes.
“The DRIVE Project will restore critical infrastructure, improve safety and efficiency, and position our Port to meet growing demand while strengthening the resilience of the nation’s supply chain,” Port Director Charles Gerard said in a statement.
The Port has already completed initial planning and engineering work through a 2025 condition assessment conducted by Moffatt & Nichol. Final design, environmental review, and permitting are expected to follow, with construction anticipated to begin in winter 2027 and conclude by winter 2028.
Richmond Mayor Eduardo Martinez said the investment will help maintain the Port’s competitiveness and long-term operational viability.
The project is also expected to support workforce development through construction employment, expanded port operations, and internship opportunities with the Port tenant Auto Warehousing Company. Engineering and construction work will be procured through the City of Richmond’s PlanetBids platform.
