Norfolk District
James River,
Deepwater Terminal
Turning Basin Expansion
Contact:Gregory C. Steele (757) 201-7589
Authorization:
River and Harbor Act of 1962 (Public Law 87-874), as amended.
Location and Description:
- 2000 Census population (approximately): 197,800
(City of Richmond). - 2020 Forecast population: 187,700.
- Per Capita Income: $20,337.
The study area includes a 25-foot-deep and up to 600-foot-wide and 2,770-foot-long turning basin adjacent to the Richmond Deepwater Terminal, about 5 miles downstream from the City of Richmond. The terminal handles bulk, breakbulk, and container cargo. The turning basin is authorized up to a depth of 35 feet and width of 825 feet. Larger ships, some reaching a length of 559 feet and a width of 85 feet, frequently experience problems when exiting the turning basin. Based on current operations, there is a need to expand the width of the turning basin. Under these circumstances, when a ship now arrives at the terminal and makes its turn to prepare for docking, contact is sometimes made with the river channel bank. In order to complete the turn, the ship is then forced to back up and to swing around at a distance of only about 25 feet from the wharf. The turning basin is also used by other large vessels, including oil barges and large bulk ships that call on other down stream ports. These vessels must travel to the turning basin to accomplish the turn necessary to make the return trip down the James River. There is concern of a serious accident that would cause damage to vessels or the wharf. The District has the capability to initiate construction in fiscal year 2007.
Updated: 16-Sep-2010