Alva Review-Courier -

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — The Mississippi River in Louisiana is getting deeper.

The state and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on Friday agreed to start deepening the shipping channel from the Gulf of Mexico to Baton Rouge from a depth of 45 feet (13.7 meters) to 50 feet (15.2 meters). The move will also provide deep draft access to the ports at Plaquemines, New Orleans, South Louisiana and Baton Rouge, officials said.

One foot of additional depth will allow about $1 million in additional cargo, enabling vendors to use the Mississippi River, once the dredging is completed, and its inland tributaries...