Rhode Island port awarded grant for new barge service

PROVIDENCE (AP) — U.S. Sen. Jack Reed says a port in Rhode Island has been awarded a federal grant to get ready for a new barge service.

The Rhode Island Democrat says a short sea shipping route was designated between Rhode Island, Brooklyn, New York and Newark, New Jersey earlier this year to relieve highway congestion and create economic opportunities.

He says a federal grant of more than $850,000 was recently awarded to the Quonset Development Corporation to purchase new yard equipment. The equipment will assist the Port of Davisville in Rhode Island with handling cargo and advancing this shipping alternative.

The U.S Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration designates marine highway projects. The projects then receive preferential treatment for future federal grants.

The proposed new service would run twice per week.