Congress is moving closer to approving legislation funding ports and authorizing navigational projects at the ports of Baltimore and Oakland after the House of Representatives overwhelmingly approved its version Monday.<\/p>\n
The Water Resources Development Act (WRDA), which the House approved by a 359 to 13 vote, authorizes approximately $4.8 billion in projects, including the widening and deepening of the Baltimore harbor and the widening of Oakland\u2019s turning basin.<\/p>\n
The Senate\u2019s Environmental and Public Works Committee approved its own version of the bill on May 22; the legislation awaits a final vote by the entire chamber. If the Senate bill passes, leaders from both chambers will conference to create a final bill to send to President Joe Biden to sign into law.<\/p>\n
Most projects set for authorization through WRDA are focused on storm and flood mitigation, although the bill also includes projects focused on inland waterways.<\/p>\n
If the bill is approved, the US Army of Corp of Engineers will have the go-ahead to widen Baltimore\u2019s Seagirt Loop Channel by an average of 760 feet and deepen the West Seagirt Branch Channel to its authorized 50-foot depth at an estimated cost of $63.9 million. The Oakland project to widen the harbor\u2019s turning basin and deepen the harbor to the authorized 50 feet has an estimated cost of nearly $609 million.<\/p>\n
Both projects aim to make it safer for vessels to navigate in the harbors and reduce ship idling, cutting down emissions.<\/p>\n
Congress takes up water resources legislation every two years and has done so since 2014.<\/p>\n
Source:<\/p>\n
JOC. (2024, July 23). House approves Bill Authorizing Harbor Projects in Baltimore, Oakland<\/i>. Journal of Commerce. https:\/\/www.joc.com\/article\/house-approves-bill-authorizing-harbor-projects-baltimore-oakland_20240723.html<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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