Did you know, before the twentieth century, slag was most commonly used as the support bed for railroad tracks? Now, millions of tons of slag are produced and used annually in the United States for infrastructure projects.

Summer is officially in full swing and exciting things are happening at the Port! We want to extend a big thank you to everyone in the community who came to the fireworks show on the Fourth of July! It was a spectacular event, thank you again to everyone for keeping the Port clean of trash and debris while enjoying the waterfront.

Join us for summer fun activities on and off the water, including, looking at the local art. Stop by Marlon Yanes’ 3D art piece near the marina to figure out how this optical illusion works. Or come visit one Saturday afternoon for live music on the water while strolling along other artwork and images.

The driving force of our Port's maritime economic engine allows us to offer these types of recreational waterfront activities.

Remember to stay safe and follow safety guidelines when out on the water this summer!

Kristine A. Zortman

Executive Director

How is Slag Created?

In last month’s currents, we learned about the Circle of Slag and how this scrap metal recycling process is an important part of the Port’s operations. For this month, we are going to learn about how slag is created.

Slag’s journey starts in the smelting process. This procedure separates steel from its impurities, these impurities are called steel slag and are a valuable construction material. During this process, slag is heated to over 2570 degrees Fahrenheit and creates a molten liquid melt. This melt is made up of silicate, a salt that contains silicon and oxygen, and metal oxides, a chemical compound formed between metals. Once this is cooled and solidified, the slag is formed into various shapes and sizes depending on its final use. And, with that, the slag is ready to be used to help strengthen construction projects such as bridges and roads!

To learn more about the slag process, check out the Port’s website for more details. 

Art at the Port

Have you seen the 3D art piece on the waterfront? Created by Bay Area artist Marlon Yanes, this beautiful piece is a marvel to look at. Yanes painted the inside of a sailboat cabin on top of a utility box to make this illusion come to life. The artwork creation was inspired by the Port’s history and created to keep within the nautical theme.

Come check it out and let us know if you would like to see more art on the waterfront!

Fourth of July Celebration - Thank you!

Thank you to everyone who showed up for the fireworks extravaganza on the Fourth of July! This is an annual event we look forward to hosting every year and we are already getting excited for the next one. A special thank you to Redwood City and Peninsula Celebration Association for organizing the event.

Port Security Grant Program

Did you know, since 2018 the Port has been awarded nearly $6 million from the Port Security Grant Program? Over the past several years, the Port has been successful in receiving annual Port Security Grant Program, PSGP, awards to better serve our region should a catastrophic event occur. These grants improve the Port's ability to deploy first responders and resources to the region. Additionally, the PSGP facilitates new equipment and infrastructure that benefits our local fire and police departments.

This is only one of the ways the Port is proud to serve the Silicon Valley. Winning awards like these, solidify the Port’s significance in the local community and the economy.