Jan 14 2016

Charleston Harbor Deepening Project Receives Administration Approval

Contact: Kevin Bishop (864) 250-1417 or Clint Riddle (202) 224-5972

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today made this statement on news the 52-foot Charleston Harbor Deepening Project has received the Chief’s Report from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. This is the final substantive approval required for the project to progress through construction.

The report outlines the recommendation of deepening the Charleston harbor channel to 52 feet and entrance channel to 54 feet, as well as enlarging turning basins to accommodate for post-Panamax vessels.

Graham said:

“This is fantastic news for the Charleston Port and our state’s economy. Ensuring the Charleston Harbor deepening project remains on track has been and remains a top priority for me. We’ve come a long way in a very short amount of time. I’m proud of Jim Newsome, the Port leadership team and all the work we have done thus far, but I will not stop pushing until this project is completed.

“With this latest development, we’ll now push Congress to provide us with the tools needed to finish the job. I realize that jobs, both today and in the future, are at stake with this project. Our economic future, and the livelihood of thousands of people in the Palmetto State depend on getting this project done. When it comes to deepening Charleston Harbor, failure is simply not an option.”

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