Port Tampa Bay in Florida has completed the USD63 million expansion of the Big Bend Channel, one year ahead of schedule.

The channel has been widened and deepened to accommodate larger ships.

The project deepened the entrance channel, east/west channel, inner channel, turning basin, and local service facilities at Big Bend from 34 ft (10.4 m) to 43 ft (13.1 m).

It widened the entrance channel from 200 ft (60.9 m) to 250 ft (76.2 m) over a distance of 1.9 miles (3.1 km).

www.porttb.com