Too narrow trench could cost Port of Seattle $1M

[August 06, 2009]  SEATTLE (AP) -- A tiny mistake -- about half the thickness of a dime -- could end up costing about $1 million at the Port of Seattle.

The Seattle Times reports Wednesday that a contractor at the port's Terminal 30 near Safeco Field dug a trench for an electrical cable that was 0.02 of an inch too narrow.

That meant the cable wouldn't fit, and a new cable for the terminal's giant cargo cranes had to be ordered for about $200,000.

The Times says that because of the problem, tenant SSA Marine occupied the terminal this week, two months later than planned. It says the port is considering a rent credit that might exceed $1 million.

___

Information from: The Seattle Times, http://www.seattletimes.com/

[Associated Press]

Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.