Executive Policy Summary: Chamber Applauds Dredging Resolution

Recently, Pennsylvania and New Jersey came to an agreement over the channel-deepening project in the Delaware River.  This marked the end of a drawn-out dispute and allowed the Delaware River Port Authority board to meet for the first time in 17 months.  The Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce believes that there is a great economic benefit to the Delaware River dredging and congratulates both sides on reaching a resolution to this conflict. 

Bill McLaughlin, spokesman for the Philadelphia Regional Port Authority (PRPA), when speaking to the Philadelphia Inquirer, called the agreement “extraordinarily important for the Port of Philadelphia.”

“It assures the participation of Philadelphia and the Delaware River in maritime commerce for generations to come," he said. "It will allow expansion of port facilities and infrastructure, which will allow cargo tonnage, which will allow an expanded tax base and attract new jobs.”

Provisions of the agreement include:

• The river channel will be deepened from 40 to 45 feet.
• The PRPA will sponsor the project.
• Pennsylvania will receive all of the spoils from the project, and also be responsible for anything dug up and removed and any subsequent consequences.
• The PRPA must obtain an environmental-impact statement from the Army Corps of Engineers.
• The approximately $40 million raised by the Delaware River Port Authority for the project will be split evenly between the two states.
• Additionally, Pennsylvania agreed to an expansion of New Jersey Transit’s PATCO High-Speed Line in Center City and into Gloucester County.

The Chamber welcomes the change to the Delaware River as a great enhancement to our region.