1. What is Craney Island?
2. What is the Craney Island Eastward Expansion?
3. Why is an expansion needed?
4. With the new APM/Maersk Terminal, is another marine terminal required?
5. What other alternatives were considered?
6. How will impacts to the enivronment be minimized?
7. What is the schedule?
8. Is the Third Crossing required for the marine terminal?
9. What is the Commonwealth Mainline Safety Relocation Project (CRMSRP) and how is it related to Craney Island Marine Terminal Devleopment?
10. How does the rail line traverse from Route 164 to Interstate-664?
11. When will the Craney Island Marine Terminal (CIMT) be operational? How do I find out about employment opportunties with CIMT?

1. What is Craney Island?

What is often referred to as “Craney Island” is the Craney Island Dredge Material Management Area (CIDMMA).  CIDMMA is a man-made 2500-acre dredge material placement site in Portsmouth, Virginia located at the confluence of the Elizabeth and James Rivers.  CIDMMA was authorized by the U.S. Congress in 1946.  Construction of CIDMMA was completed in 1958.  The site receives navigation related dredge material from private and public dredging projects bounded by the Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel on the west, to the James River on the north, and the entire Elizabeth and Nanesmond Rivers.  The United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) owns and operates the CIDMMA.

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2. What is the Craney Island Eastward Expansion?

The Craney Island Eastward Expansion is a joint project by the USACE and the Virginia Port Authority (VPA).  This unique dual purpose project will extend the life of the CIDMMA to receive dredge material by creating a new 580-acre expansion on the east side of the existing CIDMMA.  After the expansion is filled, the site will provide an area for construction of a much needed marine terminal.

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3. Why is an expansion needed?

During the Feasibility Study and the preparation of the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), the USACE determined that the existing CIDMMA would reach capacity in 2025 and the Virginia Port Authority would run out of capacity in 2011.  The Craney Island Eastward Expansion serves to extend the life of CIDMMA while also providing a space for the needed marine terminal.

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4. With the new APM/Maersk Terminal, is another marine terminal required?

Yes.  While the new APM/Maersk Terminal will provide much needed capacity in the near term, APM and the existing state-owned facilities (VPA) will still run out of capacity around 2017 to 2020.

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5. What other alternatives were considered?

In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the USACE and the VPA considered every reasonable alternative for handling dredge material disposal and also alternatives for handling containerized cargo.   In total, 51 alternate dredge material placement sites and 25 alternate port sites  were considered.  Details of the alternatives analysis can be found in the Environmental Impact Statemet.

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6. How will impacts to the environment be minimized?

In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the USACE and the VPA have taken all reasonable steps to avoid and minimize impacts to the environment.  The un-avoidable impacts to the Elizabeth River will be compensated for through an extensive environmental mitigation plan.  During development of the Environmental Impact Study (EIS), a committee of local scientists, engineers, regulatory personnel, and environmental interests developed a plan to clean-up and restore a major portion of the Elizabeth River.  The plan will be further developed during the design and permitting phase of the project.

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7. What is the project schedule?

The USACE and the VPA began the preliminary engineering and design phase in the Spring 2007.  Construction on the new dikes is scheduled to begin in 2009 and the first phase of the terminal is scheduled to open in 2017.

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8. Is the Third Crossing required for the marine terminal? No.  The Third Crossing is a regional transportation project that would relieve congestion on the existing Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel (HRBT).  The Craney Island Marine Terminal will be constructed with a road and rail connection to State Route 164 and the median rail corridor.   The Third Crossing is planned to tie-in to the Craney Island Road and Rail connection some time in the future, further enhancing regional mobility.

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9. What is the Commonwealth Mainline Safety Relocation Project (CRMSRP) and how is it related to Craney Island Marine Terminal Devleopment?

The CRMSRP consists of the relocation of this rail line to the median of Route 164 and I-664. This rail line will eventually be extended from the APM Terminal to provide access to the Craney Island Marine Terminal. For more information on this project visit (http:/www.vpa-engineering.net).

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10. How does the rail line traverse from Route 164 to Interstate-664?

I-664 and Route 164 were constructed to accommodate the required crossings. The rail line will also cross Highway 17. The bridge being designed to create a grade separation at Highway 17 will be constructed as a part of this project. Highway 17 will be carried over the rail line via this bridge.

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11. When will the Craney Island Marine Terminal (CIMT) be operational? How do I find out about employment opportunties with CIMT?

Construction of the eastward expansion is scheduled to begin in 2009 and the first phase of the marine terminal is planned to be operational by 2017.  It is anticipated that a variety of opportunities will emerge directly from this project in the future. Please see the employment information page for more information on careers in the maritime industry.

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