South Carolina to inject $180m in Charleston dredging
The South Carolina Senate set aside $180 million in state funding to deepen Charleston’s harbor from 45 feet to 50 feet, the South Carolina State Ports Authority said, the Journal of Commerce reported.
The S.C. Senate approved the measure last week as part of the state budget for fiscal year 2013 and sent amendments back to the S.C. House of Representatives for concurrence.
The Army Corps of Engineers in February allocated $2.5 million for the feasibility study of deepening the Charleston harbor as part of its budget for 2012.
The $2.5 million included in the Corps’ budget will continue progress on the study, which began last summer.
The study is expected to cost around $20 million, which is funded 50/50 by the Federal Government and the local sponsor. The SCPA also has committed to accelerate its half of the study funds as needed to keep the project moving.