Lawmakers push for deeper Savannah port

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.