USA: Committee Approves Spending USD 300 Million for Charleston Dredging

Members of the Senate Transportation Committee yesterday said they are in favor of spending $300 million out of the budget that begins in July for the deepening of Charleston’s harbor to try and win back port business, reports Greenvilleonline.com.

CEO and president of the State Ports Authority, Jim Newsome, told senators that the total estimated cost of the harbor for the deepening is $300 million. If Congress agrees to fund the project, the state’s share would be $180 million, stated Newsome.

The dredging might begin as soon as 2016 if on ongoing feasibility study can be accelerated and the state has the money on hand to begin the work, Newsome concluded.

[mappress]

Dredging Today Staff, March 15, 2012;