Main Channel Deepening Project

Delaware River Main Channel

Project Map
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Location: Within the Delaware Estuary and borders Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware.

Project Goals: The deeper channel will provide for more efficient transportation of containerized, dry bulk (steel and slag) and liquid bulk (crude oil and petroleum products) cargo to and from the Delaware River ports, with estimated net annualized benefits of more than $13 million to the U.S. economy. Under a Project Partnership Agreement signed in 2008, the total cost of initial construction, approximately $300 million, is shared 35 percent by the Philadelphia Regional Port Authority (PhilaPort) as the non-federal sponsor, and 65 percent by the federal government through the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. – via U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Philadelphia District Marine Design Center

Project Outline: The main channel is 103 miles (165,762 meters), although about 33 miles (53,108 meters) is already at or below 45 feet.

Date of Project Partnership Agreement: June 23, 2008.

Environmental Monitoring: So far, about $10 million has been spent in environmental analysis, all concluding that deepening the channel has no adverse impact. We will be removing 12 million cubic yards of material. This material will be placed at existing federal upland Confined Disposal Facilities in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware, and be used for shore protection at Broadkill Beach in Delaware.

Construction to Date: Reaches AA, A, C, D & Lower Portion of Reach E have been completed. To complete the balance of the project, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers requested $55 million of federal funds. Federal funds of $21.875 million have been appropriated as part of FY 2016 Work Plan with the balance of $33.125 million included as part of FY 2017 President’s budget.

Project History
Project Timeline