Dredging Works to Bring Post-Panamax Ships to US East Coast Port

Pennsylvania Governor Tom Corbett announces signature of third Delaware River dredging contract.

Governor Tom Corbett was joined by the Philadelphia Regional Port Authority and other dignitaries to announce signature of the third Delaware River dredging contract needed to continue deepening the channel from just south of the Philadelphia International Airport to the Walt Whitman Bridge.

"This continuation will allow the Port of Philadelphia to compete with deep-water ports up and down the East Coast," said Corbett. "Studies have estimated that by deepening this river channel to 45 feet, we will create 8,000 to 12,000 direct jobs and spin-off as many as 38,000 more throughout the region."

The third contract was awarded by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for $14.55 million and was signed on July 31. Approximately $1 million of commonwealth funds along with $13.55 million of federal funds were used to make this award.

The deepening of the Delaware River to 45 feet will modernize the existing federal navigation channel and allow the Port of Philadelphia to maintain its competitiveness and attract new cargoes.

"This deeper channel will allow the next generation of giant ships, the ones for which the Panama Canal is being widened and deepened, to dock here," said Corbett.