Last week, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Lt. Gen. Thomas Bostick, visited Charleston District and was briefed about the work currently being undertaken on the Charleston Harbor deepening project, better known as Post 45.
During the visit, he meet with Jim Newsome, President & CEO of the South Carolina Ports Authority, and took a tour of the SCPA Charleston Harbor.
Here are some of the comments made by Gen. Thomas Bostick during his stay, “ This past week, I visited with the Mobile and Charleston District… both are doing great work locally and for the Nation. I saw important work accomplished locally, but that is making a strategic difference. Keep up the great work! Proud of you all. ”
In 2011, the Charleston District began the multi-year feasibility study to determine if deepening Charleston Harbor is both economically beneficial and environmentally acceptable to the nation. The deepening project is aiming to expand the Port of Charleston’s ability to handle the post-Panamax vessels dominating the ocean carrier industry.
The expansion of the Panama Canal and growth of population and manufacturing in the Southeast are expected to increase the frequency of post-Panamax vessels on the East Coast, requiring ports to invest in infrastructure to be competitive.
In October 2014 the US Army Corps of Engineers released the Draft Integrated Feasibility Report and Environmental Impact Statement for the Post-45 Harbor Deepening project, recommending that the Charleston Harbor be deepened to 52 feet at an estimated cost of $509 million.
Construction on the deepening project will begin following the issuance of the Chief’s Report, anticipated in September 2015, and the Preconstruction Engineering and Design Phase.
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Source: USACE, Image: Sean McBride