Shaheen, Hassan & Shea-Porter Announce $7.5M to Rehabilitate the Main Wharf at Market Street Marine Terminal

**Senator Shaheen Has Led Years-long Funding Effort for Critical Local Infrastructure Project**

(Washington, DC) – Today, U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Maggie Hassan (D-NH) and Congresswoman Carol Shea-Porter (NH-01) announced $7,504,854 from the U.S. Department of Transportation to the Pease Development Authority, Division of Ports and Harbors (PDA-DPH) for the Main Wharf Rehabilitation and Modification Project. This funding will allow PDA-DPH to rehabilitate approximately 17,500 square feet of the Main Wharf at the Market Street Marine Terminal and return the terminal to full capacity by replacing the deteriorating wharf access bridge and decking the area between the shoreline and the back of the Main Wharf.

“I’m absolutely thrilled to announce this funding to rehabilitate the Main Wharf, which is in desperate need of repairs,” said Senator Shaheen. “The Main Wharf’s infrastructure has been deteriorating for years as a result of age and weather, jeopardizing the safety and efficiency of the cargo and freight businesses that depend on it for marine transportation. This substantial federal investment will return the terminal to its full capacity and be a boon to our Seacoast economy. I will continue to work with the administration to advocate for investments in New Hampshire’s infrastructure.” 

“This $7.5 million federal grant to repair and revitalize the main ship wharf at the Portsmouth Market Street Marine Terminal will make a huge difference for our Seacoast businesses and economy,” said Senator Hassan. “Both as Governor and now as Senator I’ve worked with the rest of our Congressional delegation to fight for this much-needed funding, and I am excited this project can now move forward.”  

“Our economy depends on the maritime infrastructure along the Piscataqua River,” said Congresswoman Shea-Porter. “This grant will fund badly-needed upgrades and repairs to the Market Street Wharf. Bringing this facility back up to full capacity can’t happen soon enough, and I applaud the approval of this federal funding. Without these repairs, large parts of the wharf will have to be closed. Funding for infrastructure projects needs to be a federal priority, and I hope to see a bipartisan infrastructure package move forward that creates jobs and addresses critical infrastructure needs.”  

“This grant award is important to guarantee the future of marine transportation for the businesses in New Hampshire and the surrounding communities that depend on the shipment of products to and from the international and domestic markets,” said Geno Marconi, Director of Ports and Harbors at the Pease Development Authority. “The main ship wharf that handles the large ocean going vessels is old and in need of rehabilitation. The existing condition has forced a section of the wharf to be shut down, limiting the cargo activities. With this grant we plan to rehabilitate the existing wharf and make modifications to correct old design deficiencies. I want to thank Senator Shaheen for her continued support of this project.” 

Senator Shaheen has led efforts to fund the rehabilitation of the Wharf, advocating for the PDA-DPH since 2011 and most recently urging Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao to approve this funding in July, 2018. Senator Hassan and Congresswoman Shea-Porter both sent letters to Secretary Chao advocating for this funding as well.