OAK: Deeper Harbors Mean Job Security

The Port of Oakland will have a celebration today to mark the completion of a lengthy project to deepen its harbors to accommodate new- generation container ships that transport goods internationally.

Port officials say the so-called "minus 50 feet" deepening is a significant milestone because it allows larger container ships to access the Port around the clock.

They say it will maximize business and jobs and solidify the Port's status as a global gateway serving Northern California and the rest of the country.

The celebration will begin at 2 p.m. today at Middle Harbor Shoreline Park at Middle Harbor Road off 7th Street in the Oakland seaport.

Among those scheduled to participate are U.S. Rep Barbara Lee, D-Oakland, Scott "Rock" Donahue, the Pacific Division Commander of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Jo-Ellen Darcy, the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works, Victor Uno, the president of the Port of Oakland's board, Omar Benjamin, the Port's executive director, and Nadine Hitchcock, the deputy executive officer for the California Coastal Conservancy.