Chief’s Report signed for Charleston Harbor Post 45

CHARLESTON, SC – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Charleston District announces the signing of the Chief’s Report for the Charleston Harbor Post 45 Deepening Project, allowing the project to continue through the federal process. The Chief’s Report approves the 52 foot depth recommendation made by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Charleston District in the Final Integrated Feasibility Report and Environmental Impact Statement, released in June to address transportation inefficiencies.

The Chief’s Report was signed by Lt. Gen. Thomas P. Bostick, Chief of Engineers for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The Chief’s Report finalizes the recommendation to deepen most of the inner harbor portions of the federal channel within in Charleston Harbor to 52 feet.  After review by the Office of Management and Budget as part of the Administration’s review, it will be presented to Congress to consider authorization and appropriation.

Once a design agreement is signed with the project’s sponsor, the South Carolina Ports Authority, the project can officially move into the Preconstruction Engineering and Design Phase. Initial federal funding for the PED Phase was received in July. The PED phase will refine and finalize the design of the recommended modifications to the federal channel for Charleston Harbor. Work completed during this phase will include ship simulations, beneficial use analysis, finalizing cost estimates, and generating plans and specifications.

“Today is a great day for the Charleston District,” said Lt. Col. Matthew Luzzatto, Charleston District commander. “Our Post 45 team has done a tremendous job throughout this project and that is reaffirmed by the signing of the Chief’s Report. I am very proud of the fact that this project was the first in the nation to go through the Corps’ new civil works streamlined planning process from start to finish and will serve as a framework for large Corps navigation projects around the world.  We will continue to work efficiently and effectively through the PED Phase and into construction”

This new process enabled the Charleston District to reduce the initial timeline estimate of five to eight years down to less than four years, and reduce the initial estimated budget from $19 million to less than $11.75 million dollars.