KALAMA — Plans to build a cruise ship dock at the Port of Kalama took a first step Thursday when port commissioners contracted with an engineer to develop a preliminary design and cost estimate.
The agreement with PND Engineers is not to exceed $130,300 for planning, a concept design and permitting support for a small cruise ship dock on the Columbia River. Darin Sampson, port field and maintenance superintendent, said the company plans to complete the preliminary design and give an engineer’s estimate on the cost before March.
Although American Cruise Lines has expressed interest in partnering with the port on the project, the port is fronting the cost to investigate how much the work could cost overall, said Mark Wilson, executive director.
American Cruise Lines operates river cruises throughout the United States, including on the Columbia and Snake rivers. The dock at the port would allow the ships to stop during the day or overnight to allow passengers to visit Kalama and the surrounding area, said Liz Newman, port communications manager.
