The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Charleston District, last night signed the design agreement with the South Carolina Ports Authority, officially kicking off the Pre-construction Engineering and Design (PED) Phase of the Charleston Harbor Post-45 Deepening Project.
The agreement was signed by the Charleston Corps Lieutenant Colonel Matthew Luzzatto and SC Ports CEO Jim Newsome.
The PED phase will finalize the design of the recommended modifications to the federal channel within Charleston Harbor. Work completed during this phase will include ship simulations, finalizing cost estimates, and generating plans and specifications, as well as project refinements.
Total PED costs for Charleston’s deepening project are estimated at $4.5 million, divided equally between federal and state government.
The Post-45 Deepening Project began in 2011 and has moved expeditiously through the US Army Corps of Engineers’ accelerated planning process.
Upon completion of the 52 foot deepening, Charleston will offer the deepest harbor on the East Coast with unrestricted capability to handle post-Panamax vessel calls.