WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Clay Higgins (R-LA) commended the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers after it announced an additional $3.025 million in funding for the Port of Morgan City. The funds will be used to dredge the Atchafalaya River and Bayous Chene, Boeuf, and Black.
Over the last two years, Congressman Higgins has worked with other members of the Louisiana delegation to help secure nearly $45 million for dredging projects in St. Mary Parish. According to the Port of Morgan City, this level of funding, along with a recently signed contract between Brice Civil Constructors, Inc. and the New Orleans District Corps of Engineers to maintain the Atchafalaya Bar Channel, is expected to provide a 20′ deep by 400′ wide channel for the next 2 to 3 years.
Congressman Higgins issued the following statement:
“Having a properly maintained channel down to the Gulf of Mexico provides larger vessels access to the Port of Morgan City and promotes industrial growth in St. Mary Parish. This funding is essential to that mission. There are billions of dollars in economic activity across South Louisiana that rely on properly dredged waterways and maintenance of our ports. My office will continue working with the Army Corps, port officials, and local industry partners to deliver wins like this for our state.”
Port of Morgan City Executive Director Mac Wade added:
“On behalf of the Port’s commissioners and staff, I want to sincerely thank Congressman Higgins and the rest of our Louisiana delegation for their continued support. Providing a consistent 20′ deep channel will allow industry to be able to bid on additional contracts that they haven’t been able to bid on in quite some time. And, the Port will be able to bring back import/export because ships will once again be able to navigate the Atchafalaya River.”
