Officials say the federal government has come up with the long-needed funds to make the Mississippi River deeper from New Orleans to the Gulf of Mexico.
A news release from the Port of New Orleans says that House Republican Whip Steve Scalise today announced that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 2020 Work Plan includes critical funding for infrastructure projects in Louisiana.
That money included $85 million to deepen the Mississippi River to 50 feet.
“After years of hard work, I’m very glad that the Corps included over $160 million for critical infrastructure projects in Louisiana, including $85 million to deepen the lower Mississippi River to 50 feet," Scalise said. "As home to the mouth of the Mississippi River, this is excellent news for Southeast Louisiana and our ability to move more commerce through the Port of New Orleans."
"The Mississippi River Basin has an unprecedented impact on our national economy, global competitiveness, and American job creation. Modernizing our infrastructure and deepening the river to 50 feet will help strengthen Louisiana’s dominance in domestic and international commerce.
The GOP Whip says the project has what he called a dual benefit of rebuilding Louisiana’s vanishing coastline.
"Deepening the river will give the state the ability to take that sediment and use it to rebuild our coast, increasing lifesaving flood protection. I applaud the Corps for advancing this project and for their commitment to maintaining our waterways which are not only vital to Louisiana’s economy, but also to our national economy,” said Scalise.
Port officials are celebrating the announcement too.
“This is fantastic news for the Port of New Orleans and the entire Lower Mississippi River,”said Brandy Christian, Port President and CEO. “A deeper Mississippi River channel will benefit ocean carriers, shippers, growers and manufacturers alike and is essential to the Port’s competitiveness in the global economy.”