Reader sees a dismal future for State Pier

I was disappointed with the column Sunday by Paul Choiniere describing a “brighter future” for the State Pier in New London. While there are temporary advantages to using that area for the wind farm components, these are dwarfed by major constraints on other industries to utilize the port. This was never the intent of Adm. Harold Shear, USN, who spearheaded the State Pier addition years ago.

The questionable bid process that was awarded to Gateway, their elimination of the existing union workforce, and the elimination of an existing salt contractor (a competitor of Gateway's own salt operation in New Haven), all indicate a specific agenda.

The column touts the investments being made by the commercial businesses involved, but they still do not negate the revised (doubled) estimated costs to taxpayers exploding to $200 million. And the landfill of seven acres of water space between the railroad and state piers will actually reduce the pier space for ships to land.

This entire project needs to be re-bid for the benefit of all Connecticut taxpayers.

Ed Johnson

Groton