Miami-Dade executives lobby to deepen port

Port of Miami-Dade executives hope their plan to dredge the port’s main entrance to 52 feet is one step closer to reality after the U.S. Senate last week earmarked $500,000 for the project.

Though the dredging’s total cost is $157 million, port officials believe the Senate’s actions show the project is being taken seriously. The port wants a deeper channel to handle the world’s largest cargo ships and to complete with other ports, including the Bahamas’ Freeport, which is 50 feet.