Port of Everett’s New Satellite Facility Open for Business

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For Immediate Release
May 12, 2008

EVERETT, WASH. – On May 2, after more than six years of planning, permitting, environmental mitigation and construction, the Port of Everett opened its new Mount Baker Terminal in south Everett.

Mount Baker Terminal, formerly known as the rail/barge transfer facility, is designed to transport oversized cargo, such as large aerospace parts, that do not fit onto standard trucks or rail facilities to Paine Field Airport.

“The Port began this freight mobility project in 2002 to help alleviate the BNSF Railway closures associated with moving oversized aerospace parts from the Port’s deep-water shipping terminals to Paine Field Airport,” said John Mohr, executive director of the Port of Everett. “Mount Baker Terminal provides a unique transportation service that acts as an extension of the aerospace manufacturing process.”

 The pier will primarily support local aerospace industries, including The Boeing Company, which expects to use the facility for its 747, 767 and 777 airplane programs. The facility may be used as a backup transportation method for the 787 Dreamliner.

“Mount Baker Terminal is more than just a new terminal facility,” Port Commissioner Connie Niva said, “it is the positive result of what can happen when agencies work together for a common goal.”

While the primary purpose of this facility was to improve freight mobility on the BNSF mainline, it was also identified by Washington state for a grant to show the state’s commitment and dedication to maintaining and growing the aerospace program in the region. After an extensive public and environmental process, the Port broke ground on the new facility in August 2005 with a big celebration featuring a blessing of the facility by the Tulalip Tribes.

“The tribes support and cooperation were an integral part of our success in getting this project underway,” Mohr said.

Prior to the opening of this facility, the oversized aerospace parts were transported from Port of Everett’s Pacific Terminal by rail to Paine Field Airport. This process shut down the BNSF mainline in both directions for approximately two hours. The new facility reduces the mainline closure to approximately 15 minutes.

“We have already started to realize some of the efficiencies with this new facility,” said Carl Wollebek, chief operations officer for the Port of Everett. “By increasing the speed of freight mobility on the BNSF mainline, we are making way for increased business opportunities in Snohomish County and all of Eastern Puget Sound.”

As part of the new terminal, the Port expanded the beach to the east of the facility, and added a parking lot and some beach access paths. While the improvements are complete, the property hasn’t been transferred from the Air Force to the Port of Everett, so the beach is still closed to the public.

For more information on Mount Baker Terminal, please contact Lisa Lefeber, Communications Administrator, at 425-388-0617 or by e-mail at lisam@portofeverett.com.

Facts about the Pier

• Mount Baker Terminal was designed by Berger/ABAM, with support from John Klekotka, the Port’s chief of engineering and planning.
• Manson Construction built the pier, and installed the public access features surrounding the site.
• In February 2008, the Port welcomed the 50-ton rail-mounted gantry crane that was manufactured by Morris Material Handling. In an effort to be a good neighbor, the Port selected a low profile, electric crane to service the facility. The crane was also painted “smoke blue” the color chosen by some Mukilteo residents.
• The completed pier stretches 865 feet into Port Gardner Bay, and was built to accommodate containers that are 35 feet wide, 35 feet tall and 140 feet long, which is significantly larger than a standard container.
• The total project cost is approximately $30 million, which will be paid for through a Washington state grant and dock user fees.