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Projects
Tenth Avenue Marine Terminal buildings Port of San Diego

Tenth Avenue Marine Terminal Redevelopment

Maritime

The Port’s maritime businesses are our gateway to the world, leading our working waterfront and facilitating the movement of goods and people, internationally and domestically. To support our cargo business, the Port of San Diego has commenced work on the Tenth Avenue Marine Terminal Redevelopment Plan. Phase 1, also referred to as the Modernization, began in December 2017. The Modernization is a major public works project, with $24 million in local and federal investment to support modern, clean and efficient technology; and will allow us to capture even more business and create even more jobs for local residents.

March 2020 Project Report

The federal government has recognized the importance of modernizing the terminal with a $10 million TIGER grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation. The Port has matched the grant with a $14 million contribution for a combined budget of $24 million.

The Port believes in the safekeeping and environmental care of our dynamic waterfront and surrounding communities. Through smart use of technology, this modernization project will enable the terminal to emit fewer of certain types of harmful pollutants at build-out than it does today.

Tenth Avenue Marine Terminal Redevelopment Project Timeline

October 30, 2015
October 30, 2015

U.S. Department of Transportation awards $10 million TIGER grant funding to the Port for the Modernization.

December 13, 2016
December 13, 2016

The Board of Port Commissioners adopts Tenth Avenue Marine Terminal Redevelopment Plan. Vickerman & Associates, LLC advised on the plan. The Board also certifies the Final Environmental Impact Report for the plan.

October 10, 2017
October 10, 2017

The Board awards $12.3 million contact to Dick Miller, Inc. of San Marcos to begin work on Phase 1, also referred to as the Modernization.

December 2017
December 2017

Demolition and site improvements of Transit Shed 1 begins.

May 2019
May 2019

Transit Shed 1 demolition and site improvements are complete.

July 2019
July 2019

Demolition and site work for Transit Shed 2, along with rail improvements, begins.

A time lapse video shows the demolition of an underutilized transit shed located adjacent to three of the terminal’s primary vessel berths. Material from the shed is being recycled and will be reused onsite as an aggregate base under a new pavement system. Additional work taking place under the first contract package for the Modernization Plan/Phase 1 of the redevelopment project includes:

  • the excavation, grading and compaction of the areas under the demolished buildings to support a finished pavement;
  • site utility improvements; and
  • stormwater BMP improvements.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Tenth Avenue Marine Terminal Redevelopment Plan and how was it developed?

The Tenth Avenue Marine Terminal Redevelopment Plan supports our specialty cargo advantage by providing laydown space and flexibility for each cargo type. The plan envisions three distinct cargo nodes within the existing footprint of the terminal and is focused on current core specialties of:

  • Project, roll-on/roll-off, and break-bulk cargo such as military equipment, wind energy parts, shipbuilding steel, and vehicles;
  • Refrigerated containers for fresh produce such as bananas or other produce; and
  • Dry bulk cargo such as soda ash, aggregate and cement, used primarily in construction

The plan includes a variety of infrastructure improvements that would be phased over time. Phase 1, also referred to as the Tenth Avenue Marine Terminal Modernization Plan, is the only phase for which we currently have a schedule. The scheduled work includes:

  • Demolishing two transit sheds
  • Sitework improvements including earthwork, utilities, site lighting and pavement
  • 7,200 S.F. of new modular buildings to house office space, utility enclosures, and restrooms
  • On-dock rail improvements

Future phases of the redevelopment plan include:

  • Increasing consolidated dry bulk storage capacity, which may include a new, 100,000 square foot dry bulk structure or an equivalent vertical storage facility
  • Making enhancements to the existing conveyor system
  • Demolishing the existing molasses tanks
  • Demolishing Warehouse C
  • Creating additional storage space
  • Updating on-dock rail facility
  • Installing up to five gantry cranes (cranes on a rail)

The redevelopment plan is phased through 2035 and is market-driven, so the timeline is dependent on funding, market trends and customer needs.

Vickerman & Associates (who has developed plans for 67 port terminals) advised on the plan. It’s important to note that the Port is a leader in specialty cargo, not standard containers.

What are some benefits of the Tenth Avenue Marine Terminal Redevelopment Plan?

The time is right for an investment in this vital regional infrastructure. Cargo volumes have recovered following the global recession. Experts project continued growth globally, nationally, and in our region. The terminal redevelopment plan will increase capacity and improve operational efficiency for Port users, and help create jobs. Furthermore, by implementing project-specific technology improvements and factoring in state regulations, the terminal will actually emit less air pollution of certain “criteria pollutants” (NOx, PM10, and PM 2.5) – or pollution that affects human health – at build-out than it does today.

How many jobs will the modernization project create?

We estimate that the modernization project will support up to 50 direct daily construction jobs throughout the 33-month construction period. Full build-out of the overall redevelopment plan for the terminal, of which the modernization project is Phase 1, is anticipated to result in 524 new, long-term jobs.