U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (D-Tampa/St. Petersburg, FL) announced today that Port Tampa Bay will gain new leverage in moving vital dredging projects with the passage of the bipartisan Water Resources Reform & Development Act (WRRDA). WRRDA eliminates costly bureaucratic barriers in an effort to support and spur waterway projects that promote job creation and economic growth. WRRDA will also help to complete the Riverwalk, so vital to downtown Tampa’s redevelopment.

“Modernization and expansion for our region’s waterways and Port Tampa Bay are central to job-creation and economic opportunity,” U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor said. “WRRDA's passage follows on good news regarding rising revenues Port Tampa Bay announced yesterday.”

It has been seven years since the last WRRDA bill was passed, hindering growth for ports and waterways throughout the country.  But the bipartisan legislation passed by the U.S. House yesterday will accelerate important projects by streamlining and reforming the process for major water and maritime infrastructure developments – such as the Big Bend dredging project at Port Tampa Bay – that will help our nation’s ports remain competitive in the global market. In addition, WRRDA includes a provision that supports expansion of Tampa’s Riverwalk as part of the city’s long-range initiative to redevelop downtown Tampa.

“Inaction has plagued this Congress, but I am pleased with the bipartisan support for smart investments to improve our key maritime infrastructure. This will create jobs and Tampa Bay stands to benefit greatly,” U.S. Rep. Castor said. “Hopefully, House Republicans colleagues will move a transportation and infrastructure bill soon to support the growth of our community, job creation and an economy that works for all of our neighbors, not just a few.”