The Georgia House joined with the Senate on Tuesday in pushing for the federal government to help deepen the Savannah port to help boost the Georgia economy.

Senate Resolution 312, which passed the House 167-3, will be sent to federal lawmakers and agencies such as the Army Corps of Engineers as an endorsement of Savannah's long-held plans to deepen the harbor and river that runs 36 miles to the open sea.

The corps reported that the river and harbor could be deepened to 48 feet with minimal environmental impact. The cost, to be borne by Georgia and federal taxpayers: $551 million.

Hurdles remain, though. Four federal agencies must approve the plan for dredging to begin by late 2012, and environmental concerns remain.

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Former Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan tours the training facility at Sheet Medal Workers Local 85 in Atlanta with union leaders Steve Langley (center) and Allen Still. (Patricia Murphy/AJC)

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Angie McBrayer, ex-wife of James Aaron McBrayer, leans her head on her son Sam McBrayer as she and her three children and two grandchildren (from left) Jackson McBrayer, 3, Piper Jae McBrayer, 7, Katy Isaza, and Jordan McBrayer, visit the grave of James McBrayer, Thursday, November 20, 2025, in Tifton. He died after being restrained by Tift County sheriff's deputies on April 24, 2019. His ex-wife witnessed the arrest and said she thought the deputies were being rough but did not imagine that McBrayer would die. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

Credit: HYOSUB SHIN / AJC