Senator Coons Secures Funding for Delaware River Deepening

U.S. Senator Chris Coons has secured $80 million in funding for Dover Air Force Base and $33 million in funding for the Delaware River deepening project in the annual Military Construction/Veterans Affairs and Energy and Water Development appropriations bills respectively.

These bills passed out of the Appropriations Committee and are now ready for debate by the full Senate.

“I’m thrilled this bill includes funding for critical Delaware priorities. It will support the Delaware River deepening project, a smart investment that will mean new jobs and new business for the Port of Wilmington and the Delaware Valley, and Dover Air Force Base to improve both the functions of the base and the quality of living of families stationed at the facility,” said Senator Coons.

Senator Coons fought for an additional $33 million to finish deepening the Delaware River to 45 feet from 40, a project that will help create and retain thousands of jobs in Delaware and make it possible for larger ships to come to Delaware.

The deeper channel will provide for more efficient transportation of containerized, dry bulk (steel and slag) and liquid bulk (crude oil and petroleum products) cargo to and from the Delaware River ports, with estimated net annualized benefits of more than $13 million to the U.S. economy.

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