Meehan: New Dredging Funds Move River Jobs Project Closer to Goal

Press Release

The Army Corps of Engineers announced this week it will spend $62.5 million to deepen the Delaware River shipping channel near Marcus Hook, Delaware County. Congressman Patrick Meehan (PA-7), a longtime advocate of the deepening project, issued the following statement after the Corps' announcement:

"The expansion of the Panama Canal will give newer, larger cargo ships from Asia access to ports on the eastern seaboard," said Congressman Meehan. "If our region is going to continue to compete as a player in global trade, these ships will need to have access to our ports. This deepening project is crucial to that goal."

"Philadelphia's seaport is an economic driver for the entire Delaware Valley, helping businesses across the region export their products to consumers overseas and import raw materials at low cost. The port is growing -- cargo grew by more than 15% last year alone -- and deepening the channel to 45 feet will enable the newest generation of cargo vessels to reach it."

"The Corps' funding is an important step forward in a project that means jobs for families in Pennsylvania. I'm proud to stand with both Republicans and Democrats in Congress to support it," Meehan said.

Meehan has long fought for the Delaware River deepening project, working alongside U.S. Senators Pat Toomey (R-PA) and Bob Casey (D-PA), as well as Rep. Bob Brady (D-PA) and others in the region's House delegation to secure federal support .

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