$247 million Paulsboro port plan gets approval

Ground may be broken for a new port in Paulsboro as soon as September, following approval yesterday of design, funding, and land-acquisition agreements by the South Jersey Port Corp.

The agency's directors said in a statement the new $274 million port would mean thousands of new construction and operations jobs.

The 190-acre marine terminal, with as many as four berths, is expected to be operational within 24 to 30 months after environmental permits are approved, SJPC board chairman Richard Alaimo said in the statement.

The board's directors yesterday approved borrowing up to $56 million through bonds to begin site preparation. They also approved a $3.5 million contract with the engineering firm CH2M Hill for final design and project management. And the board approved a lease with Paulsboro for 45 acres of land as part of the port. - Paul Nussbaum