The Seafood Industrial Park’s West Bulkhead mooring facility refurbishment project has reached the halfway mark. With the aid of grant funding obtained through the Virginia Port Authority’s Commonwealth Port Fund, the city was able to design and build a mooring system superior to the original wooden design built in the 1980s. Last month, the first half of the new design and installation was opened for use. The new system consisting of concrete pilings will last decades longer than replacing with the previous wooden piling system. The integration of taller pilings will allow a greater variety of vessels to utilize the mooring facility and offers better protection to vessels during high tide.

The facility is also expanding capabilities to include small to mid-sized ocean going fishing trawlers and barges that often seek refuge in Newport News’ commercial facility during heavy weather events. Historically, the facility was utilized by the smaller inshore seasonal fishing vessels, a small charter fishing vessel and a few miscellaneous commercial vessels.

The second half of the project is set for completion in early summer. The city has submitted another grant application to the Port Authority to refurbish the Seafood Industrial Park’s Outer Harbor mooring facility. This proposed project will add much needed additional moorings for larger ocean going fishing trawlers and additional industrial moorings. The city is committed to maintain and grow this important maritime facility that provides revenue and jobs in Newport News.