Brunswick, Savannah harbor projects get nearly $83M

The Ports of Brunswick and Savannah will receive a total of $82.7 million in federal funding for maintenance dredging and harbor improvements in a six-bill budget package passed by Congress earlier this month.

Nearly $38 million will go to the Port of Brunswick, including $11.35 million for the Brunswick Harbor Improvements project and another $26.6 million to dredge the federal waterway to its full authorized depth.

Inner harbor dredging completed earlier this year brought that portion of the Brunswick channel to the authorized 36 feet.

“However, funds allotted in 2023 were insufficient to bring the outer harbor from approximately 37 feet all the way to its full authorized depth of 38 feet,” said the Georgia Ports Authority.

The new funding will cover the cost of dredging work in Brunswick’s inner harbor starting in late fall of 2024.

Outer harbor dredging is set to begin in December 2024.

According to the Georgia Ports Authority, these items will take several months to complete.

The budget measures also devote $44.7 million to maintenance dredging conducted year-round in the Savannah Harbor.