Carbajal delivers $1.5 million to repair critical Morro Bay pier. But more is needed
Morro Bay’s North T-Pier just got a $1.5 million boost in the effort to repair and upgrade the structure, during a visit Wednesday from Rep. Salud Carbajal, who said more money is needed toward the $3.8 million project.
On Wednesday, the congressman met with city leaders at the pier, identified as being critical to residents, industries and visitors.
“The T-Pier is a perfect example of how supporting the improvements to one piece of community infrastructure can pay exponential dividends down the road,” Carbajal said while presenting a large ceremonial check. “Whether it’s Morro Bay’s commercial fishing industry, its year-round tourism, its residents, our coasts, or even our local Coast Guard and Fish and Wildlife operations, funding repairs to this pier is a tide that will raise all of those boats.
“The T-Pier will also serve as a primary hub for operations of any offshore wind infrastructure constructed off the Morro Bay coast, making these funds another early investment in the clean energy transformation that our region is poised to lead.”
Morro Bay leaders band together
Carbajal was joined at the pier Wednesday by Mayor Carla Wixom, Harbor Director Ted Schiafone, Mayor Pro Tem Jennifer Ford, Interim City Manager Greg Carpenter and Morro Bay councilmembers Cyndee Edwards and Laurel Barton.
“The city of Morro Bay is grateful for the partnership with Congressman Carbajal and the $1.5 million in funding,” Wixom said. “We appreciate his continued support of our city’s ongoing harbor infrastructure needs and look forward to a continued partnership, addressing capital infrastructure needs.”
Morro Bay will use the federal money in combination with other funding sources to replace a majority of the pier’s structural and fender pilings, rated with “moderate” structural deterioration in the 2011 assessment. The project also will replace the automatic fire suppression sprinkler system, electric systems, and other pieces of the pier’s infrastructure.
Carbajal also stressed that the money comes “in combination with other funding sources,” urging other agencies and potential donors and grantors to pony up now to get the project’s construction underway.
He, Congressman Jimmy Panetta and others had advocated for the funding that was signed into law in December. The T-pier monies were included in a spending package that included $4 million for San Luis Obispo County projects among $22 million for 14 along the Central Coast.
Carbajal also was in the county Wednesday to speak at the Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s meeting about the potential relicensing and safety of Diablo Canyon nuclear power plant.
Other projects receiving some funding
The other funding for SLO County went toward two bridges, $2 million toward replacing the 70-year-old Prado Road interchange span in San Luis Obispo and $500,000 to retrofit and repair the historic Arroyo Grande swinging bridge.
