Federal Budget Includes $31-Million For Delaware River Project

President Obama's new budget proposal includes $31 million for deepening of the Delaware River shipping channel.

The construction money is included in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' $4.73 billion civil works spending plan released Monday for the fiscal year that begins Oct. 1.

The news follows an announcement last week that the Corps had allocated almost $17 million in additional funding for the project.

Proponents say the deepening the channel from 40 to 45 feet could mean tens of thousands of jobs, both directly and indirectly connected to the port, and will keep the port of Philadelphia competitive with others ports on the East coast.

Some environmental groups, however, have argued that the dredging could stir up toxic sediment, endanger drinking water supplies and hurt fisheries.