Obama to sign $12.3B port funding bill

President Obama is scheduled to sign a $12.3 billion bill that approved by Congress in an attempt to boost U.S. ports and waterways on Tuesday. 

The measure, which is known as the Water Resources Reform and Development Act (WRRDA), identifies more than $12 billion worth of new water infrastructure projects and authorizes funding for them, though the money will actually be doled out by appropriations committees. 

Transportation advocates had long sought the water infrastructure measure, arguing that U.S. needed to invest in its port system to keep up with deeper ships that are expected to be used to carry goods through the Panama Canal, which is currently being expanded.   

{mosads}White House officials had visited multiple ports to push Congress to approve the measure, which will be the first new port funding to become law since 2007 when Obama signs it. 

Among the projects identified for funding in the final water bill agreement are long-sought projects to deepen ports in Jacksonville, Fla.; Savannah, Ga.; and Boston.