Delaware River Project Stays on Track

The U.S. Senator Chris Coons has announced that the Delaware River deepening project will be funded through end of 2016.

President Obama’s budget proposal for the coming fiscal year reflects progress on a number of priorities of Senator Coons, including the Delaware dredging.

“The federal budget is a reflection of our nation’s values and priorities, and what’s clear from the Administration’s FY16 budget request is that President Obama’s priority is our middle class… as it should be,” Senator Coons said on Tuesday. “Our economy is growing and our government should invest in it. As Congress prepares its own budget and — hopefully — proceeds with a responsible appropriation process, I hope it will keep these values in mind and invest in our nation’s continued economic growth.”

“The Port of Wilmington and its workers need the chance to compete for larger ships and more jobs. Deepening will attract new investment opportunities to expand the Port, which will bring new trade, more cargo, and thousands of new jobs to the Port and the region,” Senator Coons added.

“The pace of the project has been limited by the incremental federal funding, but under the funding plan announced, the project is on track to be completed on time. I’m grateful to the Obama Administration for prioritizing this funding,” Senator Coons said in a release.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ 2015 work plan, which accompanies the President’s budget proposal but does not require Congressional approval, includes $97.5 million for the Delaware River Deepening Project.

Included in the plan is the $35 million approved by Congress for work in FY 2015 and an additional $62.5 million to fully complete the next phase of work in FY 2016.

This funding will keep the project on track for completion in 2017.