The state and city have been awarded more than $6 million in federal grants for the protection of ports, harbors and other critical transportation infrastructure, the state said today.

State Adjutant General Maj. Gen. Robert G.F. Lee said the state and city were awarded the money through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Infrastructure Protection Activities grant program.

"Securing the avenues our goods and workforce use daily is critical to ensuring the welfare of the entire state," Lee said in a written statement. "We have been working closely with our partners in state and county government and the private sector to strengthen our ports against explosion and high winds."

State Civil Defense will administer and distribute the funds to agencies.

The Department of Homeland Security has allocated $4.76 million for the protection of state ports and harbors and $398,000 to improve security systems at selected facilities.

The federal department has also allocated $843,280 for more security improvements of the city's bus system.