BUSINESS groups and Louisiana state officials, led by Louisiana Republican US Senator David Vitter, are lobbying to have the lower Mississippi dredged to 50 feet (15 metres) from its current depth of 45 feet to match that of an expanded Panama Canal.
The Big River Coalition and the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development commissioned a study by economist Tim Ryan, who said a deeper channel would create US$11.49 billion in increased US production and generate 16,991 new permanent jobs.
Cost estimates for Phase I run to $195 million with annual maintenance costs of $60 million. Phase II would begin at Belmont Crossing and dredge several river crossings to Mile 232 at the Baton Rouge Harbour at a cost of $105 million, with annual maintenance costs of $30 million.
Said Senator Vitter: "The water resources bill that we passed through the Senate earlier this year will give us the opportunity to increase funding to dredge and improve our waterways and infrastructure - a huge benefit for Louisiana. But more needs to be done."
The Lower Mississippi River channel was first authorised to be deepened to 55 feet in the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 1986, but because maintenance beyond 45 feet was a state expense, Louisiana backed out.
A recent recasting of the WRDA by the Senate, however, would shift costs up to 50 feet to Washington. So local interests reduced planned draft from 55 feet to 50 feet to match the controlling draft of the new Panama locks expected to be completed in 2015.
Phase I of the dredging plan would deepen Southwest Pass to Venice, Louisiana, or Mile 10 above Head of Passes - a 30-mile stretch of river, automatically opening 175 miles stretch to a 50-foot channel because of the river's natural deep water.
Said New Orleans port CEO Gary LaGrange: "The economy of the United States is dependent upon the Mississippi for both the inbound movement of raw materials critical to manufacturing. For domestic growers, producers and manufacturers to remain competitive, maritime highways must be of critical importance to the federal government."
Said Big River Coalition executive director Sean Duffy: "If the Mississippi River is not deepened to match the controlling draft of the new Panama Canal locks, US exporters become less competitive in the world market and consumers pay more for goods and services."
WORLD SHIPPING
26 August 2013 - 19:23
High-level Louisiana coalition lobbies to have feds dredge Mississippi
BUSINESS groups and Louisiana state officials, led by Louisiana Republican US Senator David Vitter, are lobbying to have the lower Mississippi dredged to 50 feet (15 metres) from its current depth of 45 feet to match that of an expanded Panama Canal.
WORLD SHIPPING
26 August 2013 - 19:23
High-level Louisiana coalition lobbies to have feds dredge Mississippi
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