Port of Long Beach (POLB) announced Dec. 28 that its Channel Deepening Project is one of five navigation projects nationwide to receive federal authorization under the 2022 Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) that President Joe Biden signed into law on Dec. 23.

According to POLB, the Channel Deepening Project will deepen the Long Beach Approach Channel from 76 to 80 feet.

The Port’s Channel Deepening Project, POLB says, has been in the works for more than eight years and is an essential component of the Port’s Master Plan. In addition to deepening the Long Beach Approach Channel, key elements of the project include easing turning bends in the Main Channel to deepen a wider area to 76 feet, deepening parts of the West Basin from 50 to 55 feet, 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 reuse or in federally approved ocean disposal sites.

Port of Long Beach Channel Deepening Project Receives Federal Authorization