U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Auburn) announced on Wednesday that he had secured several wins for Alabama in the federal Water Resources Development Act (WRDA), including continued Mobile Port dredging.
The WRDA package is expected to pass before the end of the year. The annual federal funding package provides for the conservation and development of water and related resources. It authorizes the Secretary of the Army to conduct studies, construct projects and conduct research activities that can improve rivers and harbors in the U.S.
On a Wednesday call with reporters, Tuberville announced several Alabama-based provisions in the package, saying improvements to Alabama's waterways boost economic growth throughout the state.
"Every two years, Congress puts together a WRDA package that provides authorization for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to help maintain our water sources infrastructure," Tuberville said. "WRDA is critical to the conservation of every water-related resources, such as locks, dams, rivers and intercoastal waterways. I was able to secure several key wins for Alabama in this year's WRDA package to make much-needed improvements to our state's water infrastructure."
Tuberville boasted about improvements to multiple locks in Central and Northern Alabama. Locks allow manual manipulation of water levels, allowing various ships to traverse a waterway. He also announced funds for a study to address flooding in Millport, which the Army Corps of Engineers drew attention to earlier this year after the prolonged overflow from the Luxapalila Creek threatened to cause significant harm to the region.
"We want to ensure our waterways remain safely open to support economic growth in the region," Tuberville continued. "That's why I'm proud of our work to secure needed authorizations to make improvements at the Demopolis Lock on the Black Warrior Tombigbee River and the Wilson Lock on the Tennessee River. Additionally, we secured authorization for a feasibility study to help address flooding in the city of Millport in Southern Lamar County."
Tuberville also announced continued funding for the Port of Mobile's widening and deepening project. The project has been underway since May 2021 and is expected to be completed in the first half of 2025. It is part of the Alabama Port Authority's plan to make the Port of Mobile the deepest port in the Gulf of Mexico.
"Finally, we were able to secure language to continue dredging the Port of Mobile, which will allow the port to accommodate larger vessels," Tuberville continued, "I look forward to the House passing the package so that we can get it across the finish line."
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email craig.monger@1819news.com.
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