Feds Expedite Southeast Port Projects

Two ports in Florida and one each in Georgia and South Carolina will see expansion projects expedited, thanks to the Obama administration's "We Can't Wait Initiative."

The initiative is part of an executive order charging the Office of Management and Budget with making the permitting and review process for infrastructure projects more efficient.

"One way to help American businesses grow and hire is to modernize our infrastructure," President Obama said last week. The "commitment to move these port projects forward faster will help drive job growth and strengthen the economy."

Obama's order applies to the Port of Jacksonville, the Port of Miami, the Port of Savannah and the Port of Charleston. It also applies to the Port of New York and New Jersey.

Permits for a port intermodal container facility in Jacksonville will be completed by April 2013, seven years ahead of schedule.

In Miami, federal reviews for harbor deepening will be done by August, and the deepening itself will be completed by the end of the year.

Federal reviews also will be expedited for feasibility reports on the benefits and costs of deepening channels at the Port of Savannah and Charleston Harbor for larger vessels.

Georgia and South Carolina have committed bond financing toward their projects.

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Transportation industry South Carolina Georgia Florida
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