May 23, 2023

Richland, Wash. – Port of Benton earned two association awards in May for its project and community engagement efforts.

On Friday, the Washington Public Ports Association (WPPA) honored the port with its 2023 Community Engagement Award for the Van Giesen Street / State Route 224 railroad crossing replacement project. 

WAMA Project of the Year Award

WAMA awarded Port of Benton’s Richland Airport electrical replacement project as its Project of the Year for the in-depth planning and phased runway and taxiway closures required to replace the entire runway and electrical system while minimizing disruptions to airport users and nearby neighborhoods and businesses. The port completed the project safely and on time and provided regular updates about the project, including email, press releases, social media and in-person outreach.

In announcing the award, WAMA stated, “It was a tremendous project, and the communication was outstanding. The Port of Benton showed just how a large, complicated project should be addressed with the public.”

WPPA Community Engagement Award

Each year, WPPA recognizes ports throughout the state for extraordinary accomplishments in the categories of job creation, community engagement, creative partnership and environmental stewardship.

WPPA recognized Port of Benton with the Community Engagement Award for its dedication to sharing proactive and useful information with the community through consistent and thoughtful engagement during the port’s work on the rail crossing replacement project.

In its news release announcing the award, WPPA stated, “In our work to undertake economic development projects that support our communities, it is key for ports to ensure that community partners are informed of port projects in advance. The Port of Benton’s outreach for this project epitomizes that approach, and we are very pleased to recognize them with our Community Engagement Award.”

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