Gov. Sonny Perdue is asking state lawmakers to approve $36 million to begin a long-awaited project to deepen the river route to the Port of Savannah. The request is part of the governor's 2010 budget proposal presented to the Legislature this week.
Georgia Ports Authority spokesman Robert Morris said the funding is needed to dredge the shipping channel on the Savannah River from 42 feet to as deep as 48 feet. Morris said the Savannah port, the fourth largest in the U.S., will need a deeper channel to compete when larger container ships begin using the Panama Canal in 2014.
If approved by the Legislature, Morris said the money should be available in time to apply for federal matching funds as Congress takes up its next budget later this year.
(Associated Press)
Georgia Ports Authority spokesman Robert Morris said the funding is needed to dredge the shipping channel on the Savannah River from 42 feet to as deep as 48 feet. Morris said the Savannah port, the fourth largest in the U.S., will need a deeper channel to compete when larger container ships begin using the Panama Canal in 2014.
If approved by the Legislature, Morris said the money should be available in time to apply for federal matching funds as Congress takes up its next budget later this year.
(Associated Press)
