LEONARD GRAY

RESERVE – The final phase of Globalplex’s general cargo dock expansion is finally complete, and a ribbon-cutting ceremony was held Tuesday. Featured speaker Blaise Carriere, deputy secretary for the state Department of Transportation and Development, used the occasion to call for new revenue sources besides gasoline taxes “for the state to grow and be competitive.” Carriere briefly reviewed the history of the Transportation Trust Fund, a dedicated revenue source deriving its income from gasoline taxes. However, that revenue is not keeping up with either inflation or growing demand. But the Port of South Louisiana has greatly benefitted from the TTF, for out of $211 million allocated to Louisiana ports since 1990, this port received $30 million. This occasion marked the completion of the final phase of that $30 million investment as part of the port’s master plan for future development. “This is a great day for the state,” commented Louis Joseph, president of the South Louisiana Port Commission, who also thanked Gov. Foster and the supportive legislators. His daughter, St. John the Baptist Parish Student of the Year Malana Joseph, snipped the ribbon. The just-completed phase included completion of the dock extension to 204 feet wide and 690 feet long and the installation of two giant Manitowac electric cranes. The dock expansion’s price tag came to $11.7 million, the cranes cost $5.58 million, a land-side storage pad cost $2.1 million, electrical upgrades ran to $1.4 million and a planned land-side transit shed is priced at $6.2 million. Incoming cargo will be transferred by the cranes, which are rated at 150 tons each. The cranes have a 140-foot boom and a 100-foot radius, and they are mounted on gantry rails which run the length of the dock. The electric motors on the cranes will allow for much quieter operation than conventional diesel cranes. These heavy-ship unloaders will be able to more quickly, quietly and efficiently unload cargo and speed up turnaround time for vessels which call at the facility. Also, the port will start construction of a 100,000-square foot land-side transit shed as soon as possible to accommodate the expanded dock’s anticipated use. Earlier upgrades included the addition of new upriver and downriver mooring dolphins, access ramp and truck-turning improvements and a 190,000-square foot laydown pad for storage inside the security fence. Executive Director Joseph Accardo Jr. added, “We hope this facility will benefit the people of this state, this area and in particular, this immediate area and provide new jobs.” Funding for the upgrades included $21 million from the DOTD’s Port Priority Funds, and $6 million from the port itself, according to Port of South Louisiana spokesman Patrick Dufresne.