10-step action plan

Following confirmation of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal that allocates US$17b to improve infrastructure at coastal ports, inland ports and waterways, and land ports of entry along the border, the Biden-Harris Administration has announced two immediate steps.

These include supporting creative solutions to current supply chain disruptions by allowing for flexibility in port grants; and alleviating congestion at the Port of Savannah by funding a Georgia Port Authority pop-up container yards project.

To fulfil the first immediate step: “The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) will allow port authorities across the country to redirect project cost savings toward tackling supply chain challenges,” said The White House. “The Biden-Harris Administration will continue to look for additional flexibilities and other solutions to support infrastructure needs in the goods movement supply chain.”

The second immediate step will enable the Georgia Port Authority “to reallocate more than $8 million to convert existing inland facilities into five pop-up container yards in both Georgia and North Carolina. Under the plan, the Port of Savannah will transfer containers via rail and truck further inland so that they can be closer to their final destination, which will make available valuable real estate closer to the port. The effort will free up more dock space and speed goods flow in and out of the Port of Savannah, which leads the nation in containerized agricultural exports”.

There will be a further four near-term actions and four additional freight investments.