Great Lakes’ bid was accepted two months after initial bids were rejected for exceeding the engineer’s estimate.

The re-bid process resulted in a $2.3-million savings for the port. The contract includes 1.1 million cubic yards of excavation and removal by hydraulic dredge to a certified uplands spoil disposal site.

Great Lakes will dredge the berth to a depth of 41 ft at mean-low-water and extend it from 1,000 ft to nearly 1,600 ft. This contract represents the final piece of Port Manatee’s 11-year, $200-million expansion.

Port Manatee expects its new Berth 12 to be operational by early 2011.