Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works Jo-Ellen Darcy signed the Record of Decision for the Port Everglades Harbor Navigation Study on January 29, 2016, signifying the completion of the final administrative review for the project’s report.
The report passed the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) review and was transmitted to Congress on January 29, 2016.
The project will compete with other investments for funding in future budgets. The submission marks a significant milestone for the Port Everglades navigation improvement plan, which includes deepening and widening the harbor.
Major national benefits of the project include transportation cost savings and increased economic efficiency. The Corps estimates over the lifecycle of the project about $2.90 is earned for each dollar spent in improvement, equating to an estimated average annual net benefit of more than $31 million.
“Achieving this milestone validates our Jacksonville District team’s extraordinary work to improve critical navigation infrastructure and provide economic benefits to Florida and our Nation, ” said Col. Jason Kirk, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Jacksonville District Commander.
The state of Florida has contributed over $850 million in grants to Florida’s seaports since 2011.
According to a Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) letter to the Chief of Engineers, Lt. Gen. Thomas Bostick, the state’s contributions are combined with matching funds to expand and improve Florida’s seaport infrastructure to maintain and grow a diversified, capable, resilient and geographically dispersed port system for the benefit of the entire nation.
The harbor improvement plan includes deepening the inner entrance channel, main turning basin, Southport Access Channel and turning notch from 42 to 48 feet; deepening the outer entrance channel from 45 to 55 feet; and, widening select areas.
The estimated project cost is $381 million cost-shared between the federal government and Broward County.
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