Governor Doyle approves $3.5 million for harbor grants

September 8, 2009

Governor Jim Doyle has approved grants totaling $3,563,200 for three harbor projects in Wisconsin that will make repairs and improvements to docks in Superior, Sister Bay and Oconto.  The state’s Harbor Assistance Program provides 80 percent of the needed funds and the grant recipients will provide the required 20 percent match.

“These harbors play a critical role in Wisconsin industry,” said Governor Doyle.  “One project will enhance commercial fishing; one will enhance boat building; and one will improve operation of a grain shipment facility.”

Created in 1979, Wisconsin’s Harbor Assistance Program helps harbor communities maintain and improve waterborne commerce.  Projects typically involve dock reconstruction, mooring structure replacement, dredging and the construction of facilities to hold dredged material. 

Since the program began, the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) has administered over $65 million in matching funds for 67 port preservation and improvement projects.  Successful projects must pass a rigorous cost/benefit analysis and must receive favorable recommendations from the state Harbor Advisory Council and the WisDOT Secretary.   Wisconsin’s harbors move 40 million tons of goods worth over $7 billion each year and support 11,400 jobs.

The three projects are:

• City of Superior, Gavilon Grain dock wall repair - $2,040,000 to rehabilitate the dock wall by installing 790 feet of new sheet pile in front of the existing deteriorated steel dock wall.  A new concrete cap will top off the new wall and connect it back to the existing surfaces.
• City of Oconto, harbor dock wall - $1,416,000 to repair 800 linear feet of existing dock wall with steel sheet pile and the adjacent concrete cap.  The project also will extend the dock by 850 linear feet with new sheet pile, tie backs and concrete cap.  The dock wall is used by Cruisers Yachts to launch their boats and to do finishing work.  Production of Rampage Yachts has been moved to Oconto, creating a need for additional dock space.
• Sand Bay Dock, Sister Bay - $107,200 to reconstruct 86 linear feet of the existing dock wall with steel sheet pile and a concrete cap.  The slip will be dredged to a depth of eight feet.  These improvements will allow the facility to continue as a base of operations for three commercial fishing businesses.

For more information, contact:
Larry Kieck, WisDOT Bureau of Transit, Local Roads, Railroads and Harbors
(608) 267-9319, lawrence.kieck@dot.wi.gov