THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT 
              Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: Friday, April 26, 1996                 TAG: 9604260437
SECTION: BUSINESS                 PAGE: D1   EDITION: FINAL 
SOURCE: BY CHRISTOPHER DINSMORE
        STAFF WRITER
                                             LENGTH: Short :   49 lines

SHIPYARD PROJECT ADDED TO DEFENSE BILL

Rep. Norman Sisisky succeeded in adding a $14.4 million construction project at Norfolk Naval Shipyard to the 1997 Defense Authorization bill.

The project would connect rail tracks around several piers and drydocks at the Portsmouth shipyard, allowing cranes to be moved from one pier to another to be used as needed. Currently, the shipyard operates cranes at each pier, maintaining more cranes than it needs.

The Navy estimates the project will save it more than $36 million over the next 25 years. ``This is a money-saving idea that will enhance shipyard efficiency and productivity,'' said Sisisky, a Democrat whose 4th District wraps around the shipyard.

The shipyard first sought money for the project in 1987 but withdrew because of budget constraints, said Steve Milner, the yard's spokesman, who added that the project would let the yard get rid of several cranes dating to World War II.

The project was added to President Clinton's proposed $254 billion defense budget in a Wednesday hearing of the House National Security Subcommittee on Military Installations.

Other local lawmakers added projects. Rep. Owen B. Pickett, a Democrat whose 2nd District comprises most of Virginia Beach and Norfolk, sought $100 million but didn't get everything he wanted. Only three of 15 projects he pushed for got into the budget, a congressional source said.

Pickett's office would not release a list of the projects he sponsored. Subcommittee rules restrict such releases until the full committee takes up the budget.

Other local congressmen weren't so hesitant. Rep. Herbert H. Bateman, a Republican whose 1st District includes much of the Peninsula, said he added a $3.5 million child development center for Fort Eustis and an additional $4 million for a fire station at Langley Air Force Base.

Rep. Joel Hefley, a Colorado Republican who chairs the military installations subcommittee, said the Clinton budget underfunds construction and maintenance at military bases. He wants to add $900 million to the president's $9.1 billion construction and maintenance budget. MEMO: Knight-Ridder Financial News contributed to this report.

by CNB