Federal, state leaders cut the ribbon on Quonset’s reconstructed Pier 1 South

Federal, state and local leaders joined the Quonset Development Corporation today for a ribbon cutting ceremony to mark the reopening of the Port of Davisville’s Pier 1 South after 19 months of construction.

More than 1,500 wooden pilings that had been in the Bay supporting this section of the Pier since it was built in 1941 were replaced with 150 new steel pilings and a new concrete deck. The South Face of the pier, which is being refurbished in phases, is now open, and construction has begun on the North and East Faces.

The reconstruction of Pier 1 is part of Quonset’s Port of Davisville Master Plan, a $234 million development initiative to replace the infrastructure originally built by the U.S. Navy in the 1940s and ‘50s. The upgrades will support the creation of 1,100 projected new port jobs and add a new 50-year service life to the port’s infrastructure.

“Thanks to the consistent support of our partners in government and the private sector, the Port of Davisville is celebrating another milestone in our efforts to upgrade and expand our World War II-era infrastructure,” said QDC Managing Director Steven J. King, P.E. “The renovated Pier 1 will allow Quonset to meet rising demand for both automobile imports and offshore wind cargo and support vessel traffic.”

The Port of Davisville has recorded a 42% increase in auto imports for the first nine months of 2024, compared to that same period in 2023. As of September 30, 2024, Davisville has seen a 27% increase in offshore wind vessel traffic, compared to all of 2023.

The Port of Davisville is one of the Top 10 auto importers in North America and an emerging hub for offshore wind. Rhode Island’s only public port, Davisville supports more than 1,600 jobs and generates $374 million in annual economic output.

“As Quonset grows and diversifies, smart federal investments like this help unlock greater economic potential, better positioning Rhode Island for the future. The new Pier 1 South will ensure Quonset is ready to support more businesses and good-paying jobs for Rhode Islanders,” said U.S. Senator Jack Reed, who helped lead the effort to establish funding for the Port Infrastructure Development Program as the top Democrat on the Transportation Appropriations Subcommittee in 2019. “I’m pleased that the hundreds of millions of dollars in federal investment that I’ve been able to help secure for Quonset over the years are continuing to pay off in more jobs and revenue for the Ocean State.”

“The Port of Davisville is a regional leader in auto imports and a growing hub for the offshore wind industry. The newly rebuilt Pier 1 will allow Quonset to keep up with strong demand and support well-paying Rhode Island jobs,” said Senator Sheldon Whitehouse. “I’m pleased to join my colleagues today to celebrate continued federal investment in this project and throughout Quonset Business Park—-a gem of the Ocean State’s economy.”

“Today’s reopening of Quonset’s Pier 1 South will help increase efficiency and capacity, all while extending the service life of our critical port infrastructure,” said Congressman Gabe Amo. “Thank you to my delegation colleagues for their steadfast work to bring federal funding home for this project that will support new, good-paying jobs and economic development for our state.”

"Quonset continues to be an economic and jobs powerhouse in Rhode Island,” said Governor Dan McKee. "This latest upgrade will allow businesses to keep pace with the high demand and high volume of economic activity at the Port."

“Today is a great day for Rhode Island as we reopen Quonset’s reconstructed Pier 1 South. As a proud supporter of infrastructure in our state, I am confident that this investment will serve as an agent of economic growth for Rhode Island by creating jobs and supporting Rhode Island’s offshore wind vessel traffic,” said Rhode Island General Treasurer James A. Diossa.

“Today’s ribbon cutting is a result of not only the significant investments made in Quonset’s future, but also of the tremendous economic success that Quonset generates for Rhode Island,” said House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi (D-Dist. 23, Warwick). “Whether we are talking about the financial benefits of its daily operations or the vital role this port has in combating climate change, the expansion of Pier 1 will further Quonset’s ability to serve as an economic driver for the state that will continue to serve Rhode Islanders well for generations to come.”

“The Port of Davisville is a global gateway to New England and an irreplaceable resource for Rhode Island. The revitalization of Pier 1 South will position the Port as an even greater catalyst for economic growth, keep the Ocean State at the forefront of renewable energy, and support 21st-century research and development initiatives. I’m grateful to Steve King and his team for their incredible work at Quonset,” said Senate President Dominick J. Ruggerio (D-Dist. 4, North Providence, Providence).

“Quonset and the Port of Davisville are economic engines for Rhode Island that require modern infrastructure investments,” said Secretary of Commerce and QDC Board Chair Liz Tanner. “Investments like the one at Pier 1 South, are creating good paying jobs that support the growing offshore wind industry and blue economy businesses that are so important to our states long-term economic success.”

The effort to reconstruct Pier 1 South was funded in part by an $11.14 million Port Infrastructure Development Program grant from the U.S. Maritime Administration.

Construction of the Pier 1 project is being completed by the J.F. Brennan Company. The next phase of the project is expected to be completed by Winter 2025, and the final phase is expected by Summer 2026.