Contractors have received permission from the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to continue driving piles for Pier 4 in the Tacoma Tideflats through Feb. 28. Pile driving through this extension is expected to occur during standard hours of 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. weekdays and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekends.

Manson Construction of Seattle began driving the first of 1,241 piles in September to align Pier 4 with an adjacent pier to create one contiguous berth capable of serving two 18,000-TEU container ships at the same time.

The introduction of ever-larger container vessels has triggered dramatic changes in the container shipping industry. Vessels with capacity for more than 10,000 TEUs are currently calling at West Coast ports, and even larger vessels are expected in the future.

The Northwest Seaport Alliance is reconfiguring Pier 4 on the General Central Peninsula to align with an adjacent pier to create one contiguous berth capable of serving two 18,000-TEU container ships. The improvements will support larger container cranes and vessels.

To remain competitive and meet industry needs, NWSA terminals must be ready to handle the larger ships entering the trans-Pacific trades. The Northwest Seaport Alliance is a marine cargo operating partnership of the ports of Seattle and Tacoma. Combined, the ports are the fourth-largest container gateway in North America. Regional marine cargo facilities also are a major center for bulk, breakbulk, project/heavy-lift cargoes, automobiles and trucks.

Pile driving will resume mid-July 2017, after the fish migration season. All pier construction is expected to be completed in 2018 in time for the arrival of new, larger cranes.
– Northwest Seaport Alliance