Port of Tacoma Washington no topic: Q&A

Port of Tacoma Washington sent this bulletin at 06/26/2012 02:20 PM PDT

At the June 1 Truckers Meeting, Port and Washington United Terminals staff discussed changes to the terminal’s truck queue. The answers to the questions asked at the meetings are provided below. Find presentation materials from the meeting on our website at www.portoftacoma.com/trucks.

If you have further questions, please contact Washington United Terminals at:

Questions & answers

What happens when the queue is full?
WUT’s new truck queue includes nine lanes and can hold an estimated 175 to 225 trucks. We do not anticipate the queue capacity to max out.

Will there be a security guard at the queue?
Yes, a WUT security guard will direct truckers and check TWICs. There will also be signals on Port of Tacoma Road.

Will there be anyone to stop the drivers from bypassing the queue?
Yes, WUT security guards will manage access to the terminal.

Will there be a telephone number or information posted at the entrance of the queue with expected wait times?
At this time, there will not be a phone number or information posted at the entrance to the queue regarding wait times. We do not anticipate the queue time will be any longer than it was when parked on Port of Tacoma Road.

Will there be a safe entrance to Pabco?
Pabco should not be impacted by the truck queue. The intersection in front of Pabco is a T-intersection with a stop sign on Maxwell Way, and no changes are planned for the intersection. Trucks crossing Thorne Road from Maxwell, or turning off Thorne Road into Pabco, should use caution, as is typical in any intersection or driveway approach. Increased traffic movements will occur at Lincoln Avenue and Throne Road, south of Pabco’s business entrance.

Will there be a port-a-potty in the queue?
Yes, a port-a-potty will be available in the queue.

Will there be a number where we can make suggestions?
Please email cleantrucks@portoftacoma.com with your suggestions. 

Are the Port and/or City of Fife doing anything about the congestion on I-5?
Arterial roads, state routes and interstates are all part of our surface transportation system. The Port works closely with the City of Fife, City of Tacoma and Washington State Department of Transportation to maximize financial and infrastructure resources. We partnered with multiple jurisdictions on the Tideflats Area Transportation Study to identify several improvement projects that will be necessary to sustain growth over the next 20 years. The local jurisdictions are committed to continue our collaboration to advocate for these projects and seek funding resources to improve our local transportation system. Find study’s results at www.portoftacoma.com/tats.

Additionally, the Port is in contact with the City of Fife, City of Tacoma and Washington State Patrol about the new truck queue to access Washington United Terminals and will work cooperatively to address any challenges that may arise.

Are you expanding the lanes for the trouble window?
Not at this time.

Will the trouble window be able to handle Grand Alliance issues?
Yes, we anticipate the trouble window will be able to handle any Grand Alliance issues.

Are the out gates changing?
No, the out gates are not changing.

Have you thought about going paperless?
Truckers rely on the EIR to get paid, so we do not plan to go anymore paperless than we already are. 

Will there be a website upgrade to check imports and exports?
Please refer to individual carriers websites for track and trace any container status.

Are chassis pulls coming to the Grand Alliance?   
SSA Marine will manage the chassis pool at WUT, the same as they did at Seattle’s T-18.

What happens when the OCT and Husky traffic pass WUT?
The Port has updated the traffic circulation on Port of Tacoma Road. Trucks now access Olympic Container Terminal (OCT) via East 11th Street; trucks bound for Husky will continue to use Port of Tacoma Road for access.

What happens if there are 50 trucks in the queue at 4:30 p.m.?
WUT will work extended hours to handle all trucks in the queue.

What will be the process in the queue for cancelled missions?
Trucks that have cancelled missions will have to leave the queue when they reach Port of Tacoma Road. The long-term plan for the queue includes an “escape” lane, but the current configuration does not include this feature.

Will you be doing anything to speed up the gate time?
WUT will be hiring additional clerks to help speed up the gate time.

Will there be OCR cameras in the queue?
Not at this time.

How will you handle roadability?
Roadability has been changed and should be sufficient.

Are there any plans for webcams to watch the queue lanes?
The possibility of adding webcams to watch the queue lanes is currently being evaluated.

How fast will you get in and out of the terminal?
WUT has guaranteed turn times for the shipping lines, and we anticipate meeting these guarantees. As always, if drivers are experiencing extreme wait times in any area, we encourage dispatchers to call WUT to see if there is an issue or to report one.

How will the rubber tired gantry cranes (RTGs) operate?
Import local cargo will be delivered via RTGs.

Once you are in the queue is there a way out?
In the current layout, there is no “escape” lane. Long-term plans for the queue include an “escape” lane to be added in the future.

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