On January 19, the Biden-Harris Administration announced that it will invest more than $14 billion of this funding in fiscal year 2022 for over 500 projects across 52 states and territories.
Investments include expanding capacity at some of the nation’s largest and fastest-growing ports, including the Port of Long Beach. A full list of projects receiving funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and other appropriations can be found here.
The administration points out that according to the 2021 Report Card for America’s Infrastructure Report issued by the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), in 2018, America’s ports supported more than 30 million jobs and approximately 26% of our nation’s GDP. “However, decades of neglect and underinvestment have strained their capacity and jeopardized supply chains,” the White House said.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is committing $4 billion through the President’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to expand capacity at key ports, allow passage of larger vessels, and further enhance the country’s ability to move goods. Specific projects for fiscal year 2022 include work to:
Enhance the Country’s Ability to Move Goods
America’s waterways are vital to getting goods moving faster and more efficiently through the nation. Recognizing the role of inland waterways in creating and sustaining jobs, relieving landside congestion, and providing more cost-effective transportation capacities, the Administration will provide $858 million to support the replacement of locks that keep water levels high enough for large cargo ships to pass through the upper Ohio River, west of Pittsburgh. The Administration will also provide more than $470 million to complete construction of a new lock along St. Mary’s River in Sault Saint Marie, Michigan, which serves as a passageway for nearly all domestically-produced iron ore. These funds will build on the Department of Transportation’s recent investments to enhance the movement of goods along the nation’s navigable waterways.
Reinforce America’s Largest Port Complex
The Administration will invest $8 million to improve commercial navigation and allow larger and more ships to pass at the Port of Long Beach, California – part of the nation’s largest port complex. The investment will support design work to widen the port’s main channel, deepen the entrance channel, and build an approach channel and turning basin. It also builds on the $52 million grant the Administration previously announced to support the Port of Long Beach’s on-dock rail facility, as well as a multi-billion dollar loan agreement with California to modernize the state’s ports, freight, and other goods movement infrastructure.Move More Goods Faster at One of the Nation’s Fastest-Growing Ports
The Administration will invest $69 million to improve navigation and expand capacity at Norfolk Harbor, Va., which handled 67% more containers in 2021 than it did 10 years ago. Work will include deepening and widening the harbor’s shipping channels to improve navigation and enable safer access for larger commercial and naval vessels, and to provide significant new economic opportunities to the region.
