Cargo Business Newswire

Wednesday, February 11, 2015

Georgia Senate passes bill to allow port authority to accept federal funds

The Georgia Senate agreed Tuesday to alter legal language related to the Georgia Ports Authority’s ability to accept federal funds, so that DOT funding can be used to help deepen the Port of Savannah’s harbor.

The Army Corp of Engineers requested the changes in the state law. Earlier this month, the Obama administration pledged $42 million over two years to the project.

The state expects the federal government’s share of

the $706 million project to be $440 million. Deepening the Savannah River from 42 feet to 47 feet will allow larger container ships to call after the Panama Canal expansion project is completed in late 2015.

The state bill will now go to the House for consideration.

For more of the Atlanta Journal Constitution story: www.ajc.com