The initial list of projects, which is part of the Administration’s We Can’t Wait initiative, is targeted to expedite the most critical infrastructure projects in the country. Charleston’s harbor deepening is one of seven projects in five ports included in the initiative.
“This announcement represents more good news for our deepening project, and demonstrates that the highest levels of our government understand the critical need to advance this project,” said Jim Newsome, president and CEO of the South Carolina Ports Authority (SCPA). “In just two years, we have gone from not being included in the President’s Budget to now being a top priority. We are grateful for the Administration’s commitment.”
This announcement builds upon the update from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Charleston District earlier this month which announced a reduced timeline and cost estimate for Charleston’s feasibility study. Under the new Administration program, the study and federal reviews now will be further expedited and will be completed up to one year earlier.
We Can’t Wait is a direct result of a Presidential Executive Order issued in March, which called for a government-wide effort to streamline the permitting and review process for vital infrastructure projects in communities across the nation.
The SCPA, along with U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, Congressman Jim Clyburn and Charleston Mayor Joe Riley, in April sent letters to the Administration and members of the steering committee charged with this initiative, asking that they include Charleston’s Post 45 Project in their priority infrastructure list.