All Aboard: Ticket to results marks $80 million in CalSTA Port & Freight Infrastructure Program funding at the Port of Hueneme

by Community Contributor • July 6, 2026 • Comments Off

Leaders from CalSTA, the Oxnard Harbor District, and surrounding communities celebrate with partners as they cut the ribbon on the first PFIP project completed in California. Photos courtesy of the Port of Hueneme. SEE MORE PHOTOS BELOW

California State Transportation Agency Secretary Toks Omishakin joins local leaders to celebrate state investments advancing freight efficiency, clean transportation, and global trade

PORT OF HUENEME — The Port of Hueneme welcomed California State Transportation Agency (CalSTA) Secretary Toks Omishakin along with other local and state leaders(on July 2) for Ticket to Results, a special event designed to highlight the transformational impact of California’s Port & Freight Infrastructure Program (PFIP) investments at the Port of Hueneme.

Ticket to Results revealed the progress the Port of Hueneme has made in deploying $80 million in PFIP funding. Port staff led guests through a behind-the-scenes tour of completed and ongoing projects showing how strategic state investments are increasing capacity, improving operational efficiency, reducing emissions, strengthening workforce development, and enhancing trade across the region.

“These impressive Port of Hueneme projects funded by the Port & Freight Infrastructure Program are not just critical for California’s supply chain system, but they are also of vital importance to our communities,” said California Transportation Secretary Toks Omishakin. “Governor Newsom’s investments in transportation infrastructure are helping to move these projects from vision to reality, delivering cleaner air and better jobs to communities across California.”

Governor Gavin Newsom approved $1.2 billion in PFIP funds in his 2023-2024 budget. The Port of Hueneme was awarded $80 million on June 20, 2023.

Guests on Thursday celebrated as leaders cut the ribbon at the site of a warehouse demolition and modernized berth that removed an outdated facility and cleared the way for two acres of cargo-handling space. The $5.13 million project was the first PFIP project completed in California.

Other stops included ZE Station, where the Port is using $9.2 million in PFIP funding to replace its south terminal shoreside power system, which removes diesel exhaust by allowing vessels to plug in while at-berth. These funds are supporting $40 million in disaster relief from the State of California Office of Emergency Services. Other highlighted projects included a relocated squid operation and an innovative $2 million workforce development initiative known as S.P.E.E.D.

“The PFIP funding is truly transformational for the Port and is allowing us to improve the safety and efficiency of both terminals while giving us the tools and resources we need to pursue our goal of reaching zero emissions status by the end of 2030,” said Jason Hodge, President of the Oxnard Harbor Commission.

The Port & Freight Infrastructure Program has helped the Port of Hueneme attract other sources of funding. “We’ve leveraged PFIP funds to attract federal and private dollars totaling over $85 million,” said Port of Hueneme CEO Kristin Decas. “That means every dollar the state has invested through PFIP has delivered additional returns while helping us reduce emissions, boost the local economy, and create good jobs.”

All Port of Hueneme projects valued at or above $250,000 are completed under a negotiated Project Labor Agreement using union labor. PFIP-funded projects are expected to create between 150 and 300 construction jobs and support approximately 700 long-term jobs.

Project implementation will continue through June 30, 2028, as the Port completes PFIP-funded projects to strengthen California’s supply chain.

About the Port of Hueneme: The Port of Hueneme is one of the most productive and efficient commercial trade gateways for niche cargo on the West Coast. Five locally elected Port Commissioners govern the Port. The Port consistently ranks among the top ten U.S. Ports for automobiles and fresh produce. Port operations support the community by bringing $2.8 billion in economic activity and creating 25,000 trade-related jobs. Trade through the Port of Hueneme generates more than $236 million in direct and related state and local taxes, which fund vital community services. In 2017, the Port of Hueneme became the first port in California to become Green Marine certified and was voted the Greenest Port in the U.S. at the Green Shipping Summit.