BROWNSVILLE, Texas (AP) - Brownsville port officials say a measure signed into law by President Barack Obama authorizes the deepening of the Brownsville Ship Channel and makes the project eligible for federal money.
Brownsville Navigation District Chairman John Wood says the Water Resources and Development Act of 2016 signed Monday by the president will deepen the channel from 42 feet to 52 feet, allow the waterway to accommodate larger cargo vessels carrying heavier loads and allow companies along the channel to expand their businesses. Wood says that translates in economic opportunities for the entire Rio Grande Valley.
The channel project first was studied 10 years ago. A proposal was approved in 2014 by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, leaving congressional authorization and then forwarding it to the president as the only remaining hurdle.
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