Superior Dock Reopened Following $28 Million Restoration Project

HAYWARD, Wis (WBZH/WHSM) – A Superior shipping dock site that had gone unused for decades was officially reopened last week following a $28 million restoration project.

Last week, Governor Tony Evers and city officials gathered at the dock for its official grand reopening. The site had gone unused for about 30 years, and the restoration project allowed C. Reiss Co. to relocate their operations from across the state border in Duluth.

The total cost of the project was about $28 million, with about $15 million coming from state and federal grant funding.

According to a WPR report, the restoration project included 2,500 feet of dock wall, 87,225 feet of railroad track, a maintenance building, and various other infrastructure improvements. C. Reiss Co. officials say the new dock will improve safety and efficiency in their shipping operation. It could double their maximum capacity, as well as open the possibility of creating new jobs. The company primarily ships materials like limestone and salt.

The completion of the project comes at a critical time for the city of Superior. Officials are seeking alternative solutions for economic growth with the Blatnik Bridge Reconstruction Project looming. They expect the closure of the critical transportation corridor to have a significant effect on area businesses.

Governor Evers previously sent a letter to the U.S. Small Business Administration requesting that the agency designate Douglas County as a Historically Underutilized Business Zone. The HUBZone designation would allow area businesses to access additional federal contracts, providing new employment and economic growth opportunities.

The Port of Duluth-Superior handles about 35 million tons of cargo each year, making it one of the busiest port on the Great Lakes.