SAVANNAH, Ga. (AP) — Gov. Nathan Deal said Tuesday he’s willing to use state money to start deepening the Port of Savannah’s busy shipping channel without waiting for funding from Washington as long as the federal government promises to pay its share of the $652 million project later.

Speaking to reporters during a stop in Savannah, Deal cautioned that a couple of bureaucratic hurdles remain before funding issues get finalized. But he said it’s still possible for dredging to begin before the end of the year.