U.S. Rep. Bill Shuster, R-Pa., became the third high-ranking government official to tour the Port of Savannah in as many weeks, sending a clear signal that Georgia Ports Authority’s harbor deepening project is finally on the fast track.
Shuster is chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, which has primary authority over all federal transportation and infrastructure projects. His visit Wednesday came on the heels of port appearances by Undersecretary of the Army Joseph Westphal and Vice President Joe Biden.
Shuster’s committee recently approved the Water Resources Reform and Development Act — or WRRDA — to clear the way for the dredging project designed to accommodate larger vessels that will soon traverse the Panama Canal.
Accompanied by Congressman Jack Kingston, R-Savannah, Shuster toured GPA’s Garden City Terminal Wednesday morning in a light drizzle, then held a press conference to talk about the importance of the Savannah project to the nation as a whole.
“Our waterways, ports and harbors are absolutely critical to the health of the nation’s economy,” he said, adding that the Savannah harbor supports much more than the local and state economy.
“For example, one of the key economic drivers for the city of Memphis is Savannah’s port. As I go around the United States, I hear that not only from Tennessee, but from other areas that rely on Savannah’s ports.
Noting that exports lead directly to jobs, Shuster pointed to heavy equipment manufacturer Caterpillar, which ships equipment it makes in Peoria, Ill., into the world economy through Savannah.
“If they can’t get it out there in a competitive, low-cost way, we will lose that business to other manufacturers around the world, and that means we will lose jobs,” he said.
“The CEO of Caterpillar was in my office last week, stressing the importance of this project.
“The Port of Savannah is all about jobs.”
Shuster praised Kingston for his work and persistence in getting the importance of the deepening project in front of key people in Washington.
“His leadership has broadened the table to make sure everyone understands how important this is, not just to Georgia but to the nation as a whole,” he said.
The WRRDA, which passed out of Shuster’s committee by voice vote last week, is expected to go to the floor the week of Oct. 7. It contains language approving the current estimated cost of the Savannah Harbor deepening, one of the last roadblocks to getting the project under way.
“I think there’s a high probability the bill will become law this year,” Shuster said.
If that happens, according to GPA executive director Curtis Foltz, work could be underway by the spring.
“Once the WRRDA bill is passed, we have to complete and sign a Project Partnership Agreement with the Corps to define how the project’s costs will be shared between the federal and state governements,” Foltz said, adding that would be a 45-60 day process.
That means the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which is heading up the project, could be awarding contracts by the second quarter of next year.
“We certainly hope that will be the case,” Foltz said.
“This nation cannot afford to wait any longer.”