NORFOLK, Va. – Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe announced Wednesday morning a $350 million investment from the state to expand the cargo capacity at Norfolk International Terminals’ (NIT) South Berth.

The investment was included in McAuliffe’s 2016 budget plan.

The money will be used to reconfigure the South Berth at NIT in order to increase capacity by 46 percent. It will also improve the speed at which cargo moves through the area.

In order to increase capacity, efficiency and worker safety, the port will be moving to a rail-mounted gantry crane operation.

“This is an historic event for The Port of Virginia,” said John F. Reinhart, CEO and executive director of the Virginia Port Authority. “This investment by the Commonwealth puts the port on the path to long-term sustainability and in turn that means jobs, investment and revenue for the Commonwealth.”

The Port of Virginia began optimizing NIT in 2015, investing in modern terminal operating software and cargo conveyance equipment. The port started construction on its new North Gate complex in July of 2015. The 22-lane gate will provide greater motor carrier access to the terminal and will tie into the I-564 connector, which is also under construction.