Infrastructure & Investment

Through competitive grant processes, the Port of Albany has received millions in funding from U.S. Department of Transportation, NYS Department of Transportation, Empire State Development, and private investors to support strategic maritime terminal improvements and expansion.

Photo Credit: Albany Times Union

Pending Projects

Upcoming Heavy Rail and On-Dock Terminal Improvements

In 2023, the Port was awarded a $9.9 million grant from NYS Department of Transportation Passenger and Freight Rail Assistance Program (PFRAP) for upgrades to heavy rail and on-dock wharf system (the concrete support) at the Port’s existing maritime terminal. The funding will help modernize key freight lines and port facilities, enhance the safety and resiliency of vital freight corridors, and support New York’s nation-leading agenda to combat climate change by facilitating greater use of zero-emission equipment and reducing truck traffic and congestion.

Rensselaer Development-Ready Opportunity

In 2022, the Port acquired the lease of 35 Riverside Ave, a 42.5-acre lot with connection to the existing Port of Rensselaer wharf on the east side of the Hudson River. The site has rail availability and connection with power capacity. Prior industrial use will allow for streamlined permitting due to extensive due diligence already completed on site.

Beacon Island Commercial and Manufacturing Opportunity

In 2018, the Port acquired more than 80-acres adjacent to the Port’s southwestern border in the town of Bethlehem, NY for expansion opportunities, adding 25% to the land area of the Port District. In 2021, the Port was selected through NYSERDA’s competitive Round 2 Solicitation to develop the nation’s first offshore wind tower manufacturing supply chain facility. The site was developed to support this proposed project with more than $170 million of funding as part of an innovative public-private partnership. However, due to changed economic and supply chain conditions, considerations are being made toward alternative projects. Today, the fully permitted (i.e., local, state, and federal permits in-hand) project, stands as a key opportunity to advance state and federal business investment, domestic manufacturing, and new and additional maritime commerce.

Project Highlights:

Environmental improvement
$2.8 million invested including wetland credits and subaquatic vegetation and sturgeon mitigation
A betterment of the site
30,000+ tons of contaminated and unsuitable soil removed/disposed
Landfill reclamation
More than 1,000,000 tons of stone from local quarries used to create environmental cap
NEW bridge
420 feet of heaviest-capacity bridge across Normanskill Creek with piers located out of the water
Installed utilities
Including buried electrical duct bank, fire protection mainline, storm water management system, and domestic water line. Dedicated site power sub-station planned in 2025.
Heavy capacity wharf
NEW 500 feet, 6,000-PSF wharf (5-10X stronger than traditional wharf construction) in planning.

View a Comprehensive List of Beacon Island Documents

Completed Projects

Port of Albany Maritime Infrastructure Investment Project

In 2024, the Port of Albany Maritime Infrastructure Investment Project completed reconstruction of the Port’s 30-acre maritime terminal and adjacent roadways, including Smith Blvd, Raft St, Boat St, Normanskill St, and S. Port Rd. This is the first time in the Port’s history that the entire maritime terminal was entirely reconstructed since 1932.

Maritime Infrastructure Investment Project Highlights:

Shed 1 On-Dock Maritime Shed Reconstruction

In 2023, the Port of Albany celebrated the renovation of Shed 1 --adding 58,000 square feet of on-dock maritime space-- as the warehouse was “put back in service.” The Port invested in upgrades to fully rehab and modernize the oldest warehouse in the maritime terminal (originally built in the 1930s). Improvements included modernizing electrical infrastructure and lighting, floor capacity upgrades and enhancements, as well as a full roof and canopy replacement. The space once slated for demolition is fully restored. Ninety percent of the work on this project was done by NYS Women Business Enterprise-certified businesses. The project came in on time and within budget.

A large blue warehouse shed with a podium in front.

New Maritime Warehouse C Construction [65,000 SF]

In 2021, the Port completed the construction of a new secure and modern maritime warehouse in response to increased demands for covered and breakbulk storage. The 500’ x 125’ space features two end doors (25’ x 25’) and four side doors (20’ x 16’) for ground-level access. The new warehouse is span-less construction (without interior columns) and features fire suppression and modern electrical infrastructure and lighting.

A celebration inside the completed warehouse, with various tables and a speaker

South Wharf Reconstruction [840 feet] and Roll-On/Roll-Off (RO/RO) system

In 2019, the Port completed the reconstruction of the dock system with a design to accommodate the next generation of heavy lift cargo, such as General Electric generators, and ensure reliable bulk product transfer. The new structure features a pile-supported high level deck system, with cast-in-place concrete bent caps supporting precast concrete panels and composite cast-in-place concrete deck slab closures, combined with a high-modulus steel sheet pile cutoff wall with inclined pressure-injected rock anchors. The roll-on, roll-off (RO/RO) slip enables the loading and unloading of items that may be dimensionally too large or too heavy to utilize rail or truck transportation. The RO/RO allows a barge to bring its load directly to the point of unloading without requiring separately sourcing a heavy-lift crane for unloading.

An overhead view of the completed dock system featuring the roll-on, roll-off capabilities

Construction of Big Lift Maritime Warehouse [45,000 square feet]

In 2019, the Port constructed a climate-controlled, secure and modern 45,000 square feet facility with high ceilings and an open floor plan. This maritime heavy lift cargo operations building was built in an upland area of the port, with weight capacity to handle the weight and dimension of the new heavy lift cargo that is manufactured in the region, which is expected to grow. The project was planned to meet anticipated logistics and storage needs of regionally based international manufacturing companies that produce heavy lift or project cargo.

A view from the road of a climate-controlled blue warehouse with white doors

Albany skyline with Rensselaer wharf reconstruction in foreground