As part of its "We Can't Wait" initiative, the Obama Administration announced that seven nationally and regionally significant infrastructure projects will be expedited to help modernize and expand five major U.S. ports,

including the Port of Jacksonville, the Port of Miami, the Port of Savannah, the Port of New York and New Jersey and the Port of Charleston.

These are the first 7 of the initial 43 projects that will be expedited, and additional expedited infrastructure projects will be announced in the coming weeks.

The Obama Administration is also announcing the establishment of a White House-led Task Force that will consist of senior officials from various White House offices, the Army Corps of Engineers, and the Departments of Transportation, Commerce, Homeland Security and the Treasury. The Task Force will develop a Federal strategy and coordinated decision making principles that focus on the economic return of investments into coastal ports and related infrastructure to support the movement of commerce throughout the Nation.

Deadlines for the ports are as follows:

Port of Jacksonville: One of the critical steps in modernizing and expanding the Port of Jacksonville is to finalize the federal feasibility study examining the costs and benefits of deepening the harbor. Nationally, feasibility studies take an average of 10 years, and the expedited process announced today will shave 7 years off of that timeline, committing the federal government to finalize the study by April of 2013. The Administration also announced is commitment to completing all permits for the Jacksonville Port Intermodal Container Facility by July of 2013.

Port of Miami: The Administration committed to completing all federal reviews for the Port of Miami by August of 2012 and expects to complete the deepening of the channel this year.

Port of Savannah: The Administration committed to completing all federal reviews for the Port of Savannah by November of 2012.

Port of New York and New Jersey: The Administration committed to completing all federal permit and review decisions for the Bayonne Bridge by April of 2013, shaving months from the schedule. In addition, the Administration will complete all remaining federal reviews for the New York and New Jersey Harbor by May of 2013.

Port of Charleston: The Administration today committed to completing all federal reviews for the Port of Charleston by September of 2015.

For more information on each port project: http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2012/07/19/we-can-t-wait-obama-administration-announces-5-major-port-projects-be-ex