JOC Staff | Oct 12, 2009 10:40AM EDT
The Georgia Ports Authority says U.S. House approval of nearly $15 million for work at the Port of Savannah marks an important step in expanding the site’s cargo handling capacity.
The funding approved this month includes $13.5 million for maintenance dredging at the Savannah Harbor and $1.4 million toward the Savannah Harbor Expansion Project the GPA says is central to the growth plans in coming years.
“This funding can be used to prepare the final construction plans and specifications for the channel deepening after the required environmental and cost-benefit studies are approved,” said GPA Chief Operating Officer Curtis J. Foltz, who is due to become the GPA’s next executive director Jan. 1.
The funding is included in a U.S. Senate and House conference report on the Energy and Water Appropriations Bill that still must get final approval in the Senate.
Doug J. Marchand, who is stepping down as GPA executive director, called the expansion project “one of the most important and pro-active civil works projects in the country.”
