News Release
FOR RELEASE - August 12, 2010
Contact: Aaron Ellis, aellis@aapa-ports.org
703-706-4714

American Association of Port Authorities
Phone: (202) 792-4033
www.aapa-ports.org

AAPA Applauds DOT's Announcement Supporting Expanded Use Of Marine Highways

The American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) today applauded the U.S. Department of Transportation's (DOT) and the U.S. Maritime Administration's (MARAD) announcement yesterday selecting 18 corridors, eight projects and six specific initiatives eligible for funding as part of America's Marine Highways program.

"AAPA has long supported the development of a federal program to support expanded use of marine highways in the U.S. to help alleviate highway congestion and improve environmental sustainability," said Susan Monteverde, AAPA's vice president of government relations. "We were a strong advocate for Congress appropriating funds for this program, and we're very pleased to see DOT make these grant funds available for first time."

In yesterday's announcement by Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, MARAD made $7 million in grants available, in which the eight projects are eligible to apply.  The majority of these involve AAPA member port authorities, including 11 that are listed as directly involved.

The initial marine highways projects were chosen from 35 applications made by U.S. ports and transportation planning agencies as part of the solicitation of applications for Marine Highway Projects, published in the Federal Register on April 9. 

According to the Maritime Administration, the chosen projects will receive "preferential treatment for any future federal assistance from the Department and MARAD," while the initiatives will receive "support in the form of assistance in further developing the concepts through conduct of research, market analysis and other efforts to identify the opportunities they may present."