NORTH KINGSTOWN, R.I. (WPRI) — Several Rhode Island leaders celebrated the piledriving of a new pier at Quonset Business Park Wednesday, marking the first such construction in nearly 70 years.

Federal and state officials told 12 News that building the "Terminal 5 Blue Economy Pier" is a major opportunity for the Ocean State.

"About a year from now, we will be back to cut the ribbon on the new pier. This will extend out about a thousand feet here at Narragansett Bay and create the new pier," Steven King, managing director of the Quonset Development Corporation, said.

Currently, brand-new cars are shipped to the Port of Davisville for finishing touches before being sent to dealerships.

Fully funded by the American Rescue Plan Act, the Terminal 5 project will expand the port's ability to handle large offshore wind cargo and automobile import vessels.

“Sometimes when you go buy a new car you see the delivery report listed on the Monroney report," King explained. "A lot of times you’ll see the Port of Davisville on it and you’ll know it came here first.”

Additionally, the Blue Economy Support Docks and boat ramp will accommodate smaller boats and organizations with short-term docking needs.

The project is expected to be completed by winter 2025.