Port Manatee gets U.S. DOT nod

The U.S. Department of Transportation designated Port Manatee as one of several marine-based economic thoroughfares eligible for federal funding through America's Marine Highway Program.

Port Manatee combines with Texas' Port of Brownsville to bookend the Cross Gulf Container Expansion Project, a 926-mile stretch of Gulf water that spans five states. With the designation, the ports can compete for $7 million in federal funding dedicated to the program.

“Making better use of our rivers and coastal routes offers an intelligent way to relieve some of the biggest challenges we face in transportation,” said Ray LaHood, U.S. DOT secretary.