The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) on Tuesday announced the 35 projects that will receive funding for port infrastructure improvements, covering a total of $498 million in 19 states.
The grant money was awarded through the Maritime Administration (MARAD)’s Port Infrastructure Development Program (PIDP) grants. In a statement, the American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) praised the move, calling it vital to our economic and national security.
However, AAPA also warned that this year’s Fiscal Year 2026 application cycle awards include the final advanced appropriations funding for PIDP from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, a source of funds that will soon be exhausted.
“Funding for PIDP is set to dramatically decline next year, barring much-needed Congressional action. AAPA maintains that the next Surface Transportation Reauthorization should include advanced appropriations for PIDP so America’s ports have the funding they need to keep our nation’s supply chains strong and fluid,” the group said.
In the meantime, AAPA noted some examples of the projects funded by this round of awards:
- Purchase of a digital twin model, multi-modal sensing hardware, and software programming resources for a major energy export hub in Texas.
- Restoration of existing piles, beams, deck surfaces, and berthing systems to rehabilitate an existing berth at a small Northern California port; and
- Procurement of new cargo handling equipment such as mobile harbor cranes and reach stackers to expand container trade on the Great Lakes.
In another example, Broward County, Florida’s Port Everglades was awarded $30.75 million for a plan to relocate a structural bulkhead and widen the slip to 450 feet. Project improvements would allow the port to accommodate significantly larger, more economical vessels such as the Aframax class. This will further strengthen the port’s resilience and enhance safety while maintaining the port’s critical fuel operations during severe weather, port leaders said. That total public-private project is projected to cost $184.5 million and take three to four years to complete, with Phase 1 construction scheduled to begin in 2028.
