The federal government is pitching in an additional $34.7 million this year to deepen the shipping channel to Savannah's busy seaport, giving the project a financial boost at a critical time.
The money was included Monday in an updated spending plan from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. It's being added to funds Congress approved for dredging the Savannah harbor in March, bringing the federal total this year to nearly $85 million.
The federal government and Georgia are spending $973 million to deepen the Savannah River between the Port of Savannah and the Atlantic Ocean to make room for larger cargo ships.
Officials say the project needs roughly $100 million annually to avoid delays. Georgia officials have allocated roughly $300 million in recent years to keep the dredging on schedule.
