In spite of doubts about economic viability, port cities on the Atlantic scramble to make room for mega cargo ships, Curtis Tate reports.
Cities across the East Coast are racing to prepare for an expansion of the Panama Canal, which officials hope will divert transcontinental shipping from the pavement to the sea. Slated for completion in 2014, the expansion will make way for cargo ships that can carry two to three times as many containers as the biggest ships currently on the route.
"I don't know too many ports that have gambled on shallow water that have stayed in the game," said Kevin Lynskey, the assistant director for seaport business initiatives at the Port of Miami. "If we didn't dredge and other people did, we certainly would lose more containers."
Ports on the southern end of the Eastern Seaboard, like those in Charleston, Savannah, and Miami, aren't currently deep enough to handle the new traffic, and worry that they might soon get passed over for larger ports up north. But with an already extensive, well-established rail network connecting the east and west coasts, those on the Pacific doubt the economic benefit of shifting gears.
"Why not just unload all of it here?" asked Art Wong, a spokesman for the Port of Long Beach. "We hope to maintain those kinds of advantages."
But the Southern port cities aren't waiting. State authorities in Flordia, Georgia, and South Carolina are proposing hundreds of millions of dollars in port expansions, drawing on state coffers if their pleas for federal funds fall on deaf ears.
FULL STORY: As states seek funds for deeper ports, will ships come in?

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking
Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?

King County Supportive Housing Program Offers Hope for Unhoused Residents
The county is taking a ‘Housing First’ approach that prioritizes getting people into housing, then offering wraparound supportive services.

Researchers Use AI to Get Clearer Picture of US Housing
Analysts are using artificial intelligence to supercharge their research by allowing them to comb through data faster. Though these AI tools can be error prone, they save time and housing researchers are optimistic about the future.

Making Shared Micromobility More Inclusive
Cities and shared mobility system operators can do more to include people with disabilities in planning and operations, per a new report.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
planning NEXT
Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie