The Alabama congressional delegation, as part of a bipartisan and bicameral effort, has endorsed the modernization of the Mobile Harbor Federal Navigation Channel, one of the largest economic development projects in the state.
The Alabama lawmakers submitted comments to the Mobile District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in support of the Tentatively Selected Plan (TSP) identified in the Draft Mobile Harbor, Mobile, Alabama Integrated General Reevaluation Report (GRR) with Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS).
U.S. Senator Richard Shelby led the delegation letter .
In addition to Senator Shelby, the letter was signed by U.S. Senator Doug Jones, along with U.S. Representatives Robert Aderholt, Mike Rogers, Mo Brooks, Martha Roby, Terri Sewell, Bradley Byrne and Gary Palmer.
Due to increased vessel size and channel transit inefficiencies issues, the federal Mobile Harbor Channel is currently undergoing a GRR by USACE to deepen and widen its navigation channel.
The TSP identified in the Draft GRR/SEIS recommends deepening the existing channels by 5 feet, incorporating bend easings in the Bar Channel, widening the Bay Channel from 400 feet to 500 feet for 3 nautical miles, and expanding the Choctaw Pass Turning Basin to better accommodate the safe turning of large vessels.
The GRR is currently on schedule to conclude in November 2019.