CHARLESTON, S.C (WCBD)- On Thursday, Senator Lindsey Graham announced the South Carolina Port Authority would be receiving $49 million dollars from the Army Corps of Engineers for the Charleston Harbor deepening project.
Dredging crews are working to deepen the harbor from 45 feet to 52 feet. It will cost about $529 million.
They started the project in April with 3 dredgers near the entrance channel. This funding will allow them to continue moving further into the harbor eventually dredging to the Wando Terminal.
In 2012, the state legislature set aside $300 million dollars for the project. In the fall of 2017, two other contracts were secured. Two more contracts are expected to be secured before completion.
As for what the dredging brings to the Lowcountry’s economy, Port Authority CEO Jim Newsome says the deeper port will allow for unlimited 24/7 ship access.
The more business coming through the port, the more port workers are needed.
