Biden budget pumps $84 million into Virginia port deepening
Federal allocation would keep project on track for 2024 completion Virginia Port Authority will have deepest port on U.S. East Coast. (Photo: VPA)
The deepening and widening of Norfolk Harbor at the Port of Virginia was for the first time included in a federal budget with $83.7 million that will help ensure the project remains on course for completion in 2024.
The project funding from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers was part of President Joe Biden’s 2022 budget proposal released on Friday. The $350 million project will deepen the port’s channels to 55 feet and widen the channels to allow two-way traffic for ultra-large container ships and would make the Port of Virginia the deepest port on the U.S. East Coast. Initial dredging began in December 2019.
The Port of Norfolk is located on the banks of the Elizabeth River at the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay. It is part of an urban area that also contains Portsmouth, Chesapeake, Virginia Beach, Hampton Roads, Newport News and Hampton. Collectively, this region is called Hampton Roads and elements of the Port of Virginia are located in the region.
Overview
The surrounding waterways, its location at the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay and its protected deep-water channels make the Port of Virginia an important trade center for goods traveling between the North American Mid-Atlantic and Midwest regions as well as for international goods.
The Port of Virginia berths a container ship. (Photo: Port of Virginia)
The Port of Norfolk is located on the banks of the Elizabeth River at the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay. It is part of an urban area that also contains Portsmouth, Chesapeake, Virginia Beach, Hampton Roads, Newport News and Hampton. Collectively, this region is called Hampton Roads and elements of the Port of Virginia are located in the region.
Overview
The surrounding waterways, its location at the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay and its protected deep-water channels make the Port of Virginia an important trade center for goods traveling between the North American Mid-Atlantic and Midwest regions as well as for international goods.