USACE: $138M for Charleston Deepening Included in Trump’s Budget

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Charleston District, yesterday announced that they have received $138 million in construction funding for the Charleston Harbor Post 45 Deepening Project in the President’s Budget.

“This allows us to stay on schedule with the deepening. We also received operations and maintenance funds of $19.4 million for Charleston Harbor, $3.9 million for the Cooper River Rediversion Project, and $285,000 for the AIWW,” said USACE.

The deepening and widening of the Charleston Harbor to a 52-foot deep federal channel will allow for growth in the shipping industry with the influx of Post-Panamax ships calling on port in the Lowcountry.

According to USACE, the total project will cost approximately $529 million with an estimated cost-share for the construction portion of the project to be $330 million from the federal government and $199 million for the South Carolina Ports Authority.

Depending on funding, dredge availability, weather and a variety of other factors, the construction of the entire project will take 3-6 years.