$134.5M contract awarded to begin Savannah harbor expansion

SAVANNAH, Ga. (AP) - The federal government has awarded a $134.5 million contract to begin deepening the shipping channel to the Port of Savannah, meaning the long-sought harbor expansion can start as soon as the contractor gets its equipment in the water.

The Army Corps of Engineers announced Wednesday the first dredging contract has gone to Illinois-based Great Lakes Dredge and Dock Company. The Army Corps says it's unclear how soon the company will be able to start the job.

The contract covers deepening of the outer harbor along about 18 miles of the Savannah River and the Atlantic Ocean. That's about half the length of the project, expected to cost $706 million overall.

The river channel is being deepened from 42 to 47 feet to make room for larger cargo ships.