March 25 - The widening and deepening of Canaveral Harbor will begin during April and is scheduled for completion during November 2014.

The USD35 million project will see the 400 ft (122 m) wide harbour extended by a further 100 ft (30.5 m), the 46 ft (14 m) deep entrance will be cleared a further 2 ft (0.6 m).

"The Canaveral Port Authority's decision to utilise alternative federal processes that allow seaports to self-fund required studies and permits allowed us to arrive at this critical juncture 10 years earlier than taking the traditional route," said Port Canaveral ceo John E. Walsh.

However, he described the development as "bittersweet" as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has deferred approval to fund maintenance dredging of the harbour once extension works are complete, which will cost Canaveral Port Authority an unbudgeted USD1.3 million per year.

Walsh continued: "Since this cost always has been the responsibility of the federal government, we are confident with meetings set in Washington next week, we can make legislative and administrative progress toward a resolution."

Construction work at the harbour entrance will begin next month, followed by cutting the land and building a retaining wall during the next six months. Dredging will take place over a three-month period, in preparation for larger vessel calls in November.

 

 

www.portcanaveral.org

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