Port Everglades’ dredging project moves closer to federal approval

After 18 years of working with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Civil Works Review Board, Port Everglades will soon move to the final stages of approval for its $374 million deepening and widening project.

The Corps approved the final environmental and economic feasibility studies for the project last week and now there will be a 30-day comment period. Afterward, the Corps is expected to issue a Chief of Engineers Report recommending the project to Congress for construction authorization by May.

The project would allow Port Everglades to accommodate large cargo vessels called post-Panamax ships by deepening the main navigational channels to 48 feet from 42 feet, and widening the entrance channel. The port already handles post-Panamax ships from Europe, but they are only partially loaded.

“The future of this economic powerhouse depends on being able to keep up with Florida’s growing population, larger ships, and competition from international and domestic ports that are expanding and modernizing their infrastructure,” said U.S. Rep. Lois Frankel, whose district includes Port Everglades, in a news release.

The project is expected to create about 4,700 construction jobs and 1,500 permanent direct jobs.

“Any delay to the expansion risks the new, larger freight ships contracting with other ports, passing us by and taking thousands of jobs with them,” Frankel in a news release.

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Story by: Emon Reiser – Mar 2, 2015, 2:45pm EST | Updated: Mar 2, 2015, 3:47pm EST
Photo Courtesy: Emon Reiser

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