Tampa port awarded $2.2 million federal stimulus grant to rebuild berth

The Tampa Port Authority was awarded a $2.2-million grant from the federal economic stimulus package Tuesday to begin repairs on major petroleum product unloading berth.

The money will help replace a 550-foot steel bulkhead at Berth 230 in the Port of Tampa, where ships discharge much of the gasoline, fuel oil and jet fuel consumed in West and Central Florida.

The project is the first phase of a $30-million project to rebuild the berth and a pier used by barges and tankers.

The Economic Development Administration grant was announced by Commerce Secretary Gary Locke, who was briefed on the project by port director Richard Wainio during an Aug. 7 visit to the port.