Work to begin in 2020 on Mobile channel project

September 15, 2019 at 2:00 p.m. | Updated September 15, 2019 at 11:17 a.m.

by Associated Press

In this undated file photo released by SEARCH, Inc. in May 2019, archaeological survey teams work to locate the slave ship Clotilda in delta waters north of Mobile Bay, Ala. Alabama has filed a federal court claim to ownership of the wreckage of the last ship known to bring enslaved people from Africa to the U.S., a move the archaeologist who helped find the ship says will bolster protection of the site. (Daniel Fiore/SEARCH, Inc. via AP, File)
In this undated file photo released by SEARCH, Inc. in May 2019, archaeological survey teams work to locate the slave ship Clotilda in delta waters north of Mobile Bay, Ala. Alabama has filed a federal court claim to ownership of the wreckage of the last ship known to bring enslaved people from Africa to the U.S., a move the archaeologist who helped find the ship says will bolster protection of the site. (Daniel Fiore/SEARCH, Inc. via AP, File)

MOBILE, Ala. (AP) - Officials say work could begin late next year to deepen the channel in Mobile Bay, a move that will allow larger ships to dock at Alabama's state seaport.

The State Port Authority announced recently that the Army Corps of Engineers has approved a request to deepen the existing river, bay and bar channels to a minimum depth of 50 feet (15.2 meters) at Mobile. The bay channel will also be widened by 100 feet (328 meters).

The agency says the changes will allow the port to accommodate larger cargo ships, which often dock in Mobile.

A statement from Port Authority director Jimmy Lyons says the port will have almost $500 million invested in handling intermodal containers once a three-phase project is complete.

Upcoming Events