Liz Burke WPRO News

Port of Providence has some exciting news. They are receiving two new harbor cranes as part of a 20 million dollar enhancement project. The project is funded by a federal TIGER II grant secured by the Rhode Island Congressional delegation and private investments by the non-profit Provport.

"This is a huge step forward for us as a city and as a state and we will look back on this day as an important day in terms of turning around the economy here in Providence and in the state of Rhode Island,” said Providence Mayor Angel Taveras.

Governor Lincoln Chafee says the project is critical to protecting existing jobs and creating new ones.

“These are great jobs. Good, high paying jobs are going to be generated by these cranes coming. All the activity building on the centuries of history here and into the future,” said Governor Chafee.

 The new cranes will replace two 30 year old leased cranes from New Jersey.