Each dome is 90 feet high and 190 feet in diameter. When construction is completed the domes will be encased as solid concrete structures. This method provided a more effective construction process. The terminal is expected to be fully functional by the time the 2011 harvest begins in early August. “The additional terminal capacity created by Parrish and Heimbecker will be a benefit to the farming community across our region, extending their reach to broader international markets,” said HPA president and CEO Bruce Wood. The terminal will be a primary centre for P&H to move grains and other agricultural commodities. Conveyors in the floor inside the domes allow for grain to be loaded onto vessels. “The Port of Hamilton made strategic sense for this development,” said Parrish and Heimbecker director eastern Canadian grain operations Robert Bryson. “The established volumes of ship traffic allow our operation to connect to the efficient shipping opportunities at the port.” Overseas traffic is critical to supporting growth of both import and export cargo volumes. The food products sector is a growing area of the local economy and this development further supports its advancement. Multimodal connections between marine, truck and rail create a sustainable system of moving a mix of wheat, corn, soybeans and other agricultural commodities. All of which contribute to reduced supply chain costs.