Lake Erie harbors getting federal funding for dredging

The freighter Fraserborg sits docked to be loaded with aggregate materials in the port of Lorain in September. The vessel is owned by Royal Wagenborg, an international shipping company with a fleet of 173 vessels. It is 154.6 meters, or about 507 feet, in length, and 17.2 meters, or about 56 feet, wide.
The freighter Fraserborg sits docked to be loaded with aggregate materials in the port of Lorain in September. The vessel is owned by Royal Wagenborg, an international shipping company with a fleet of 173 vessels. It is 154.6 meters, or about 507 feet, in length, and 17.2 meters, or about 56 feet, wide. Morning Journal file

By Staff report, The News-Herald

Federal funding will help keep Ohio’s shipping channels deep enough for freighters.

Rep. Marcy Kaptur, D-Toledo, announced new money became available for port maintenance through the Consolidated Appropriations Act passed by Congress in March.

The federal appropriation includes money for Lorain, Huron, Cleveland, Toledo and Ashtabula.

Cleveland Harbor will receive $7.8 million for dredging and repairs to the harbor’s damaged breakwater.

Lorain Harbor will get $2.5 million, Ashtabula Harbor $1.35 million and Huron Harbor $1.25 million, for dredging.

Toledo Harbor will receive an additional $20,000 for sediment analysis.

“Keeping our navigational channels open for business is critical to jobs in Northern Ohio and to the thousands of Ohioans who rely on Great Lakes shipping every day,” Kaptur said. “Each of the ports designated for funding increases demonstrated a critical navigational, environmental, or infrastructure need.

“These additional federal investments will help our local communities to meet the demand for easily accessible port facilities with safe, navigable access,” she said.

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