The South Carolina Ports Authority (SC Ports) has received the final federal reimbursement for the Charleston Harbor Deepening Project, a milestone that formally closes the $580 million initiative. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers disbursed the final payment of $21.28 million, completing the federal government’s share of the project.
This funding marks the end of a multi-year effort to make Charleston Harbor the deepest on the U.S. East Coast at 52 feet. The project, which was completed on time and within budget, was a state-federal partnership. South Carolina’s General Assembly provided initial funds to accelerate construction, with the understanding that the federal government would reimburse the state’s investment over time.
The newly deepened harbor significantly enhances SC Ports’ ability to handle ultra-large container vessels at any tide, improving efficiency and strengthening the port’s competitiveness in global trade. The project involved the removal of over 40 million cubic yards of material from the harbor floor.
State and federal officials celebrated the final payment, highlighting the collaboration that made the project a success. The harbor deepening is expected to serve as a major economic engine for South Carolina, attracting new businesses and creating jobs for decades to come.
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