Officials: 1 Year Later, Port Project on Track

JACKSON, Miss. - The state has spent a fraction of the $570 million in federal Hurricane Katrina money that's being used to expand operations at the Port of Gulfport, but officials say the project is on schedule.

U.S. Housing and Urban Development spokesman Brian Sullivan says about $27 million has been spent as the state completes the design and environmental review phase.

The first phase of the project, which began a year ago Friday, involves filling 60 acres of water around the port's west pier with dirt for the expansion. Conn says the fill project will be completed in December.