Corbett Says More Money Needed for the Delaware River Deepening Project

Governor Corbett praised the release of $16.9 million federal dollars to continue dredging the Delaware river. In his annual budget address, Corbett said 75,000 jobs would be created or saved by the deepening project. The controversial dredging of the Delaware is opposed by environmentalists. But Corbett says the widening of the Panama Canal means larger ships will be sailing up the East Coast, and will not be able to dock in Philadelphia unless the river is deepened.
“Philadelphia was founded as a port city,” said Corbett. “We intend to keep that gate open in welcoming the world and its commerce.”
Corbett says pressure is still needed to release federal funds to complete the $300 million dollar project.
But the project may be complicated by the recent addition of the Atlantic Sturgeon on the endangered species list. Environmentalists hope the move will give them more ammunition to block the deepening project.

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