Graham: Money still needed for harbor deepening

CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) — The designation of the Charleston Harbor deepening as a national significant project may speed studies of the project, but U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham says money is still needed for the $300 million effort.

Graham spoke on Thursday with South Carolina reporters by phone from Washington.

The administration late Wednesday announced that harbor projects in Charleston and four other ports were being designated as nationally significant and studies would be expedited.

But Graham says Congress must still come up with money to pay for the work itself.

He says he’d like to see about $20 billion put aside in an account to pay for harbor projects both inland and on the nation’s coasts.

Graham says he applauds the administration, and that there should be a national vision for port needs.