California's Long Beach Harbor Commission has given its approval for dredging works to be carried out to improve the flow of traffic at the Port of Long Beach.
The Port of Long Beach and the federal government will share the costs, estimated at almost US$170 million. The port's portion is estimated at US$109 million.
Among other features, the project includes deepening the Long Beach Approach Channel from 76 feet (23 metres) to 80 feet (24 metres) deep, easing turning bends in the Main Channel to deepen a wider area to 76 feet, deepening parts of the West Basin from 50 feet (15.2 metres) to 55 feet (16.7 metres), constructing an approach channel and turning basin to Pier J South with a depth of 55 feet, improving the breakwaters at the entrance to Pier J, and depositing dredged material in nearshore sites for refuse or in federally approved ocean disposal sites.
