USA: Raritan River Dredging Kicks Off

Crews under contract with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New York District, have begun maintenance dredging operations on the Raritan River Federal Navigation Channel.

The Army Corps of Engineers recently awarded a $3.8 million contract to Norfolk Dredging of Chesapeake, Va., to carry out the work, which involves the removal of approximately 600,000 cubic yards of material from the channel.

The current dredging contract is primarily focused on shoaling from the area downstream of the Edison Bridge.

“The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is pleased to be performing maintenance dredging on this section of the Raritan River Federal Navigation Channel,” said New York District Commander Col. Paul Owen. “This work will help ensure safe passage for vessels transporting goods and materials in and out of New Jersey via this important, high-use channel.”

Material dredged from the channel will be placed at the Historic Area Remediation Site (HARS).

Work is slated to be completed this winter. This deep-draft, high use channel has a five-year average annual commercial tonnage of approximately 1.4 million tons. Primary commodities include petroleum, petroleum products and sand and gravel, rock and chemicals.

The channel was impacted by Hurricane Sandy and the dredging contract is being funded through the Disaster Relief Appropriations Act of 2013, commonly referred to as the Hurricane Sandy Relief Bill. The dredging will reverse Sandy’s impacts to the channel by restoring it to its authorized dimensions.

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Press Release, August 6, 2014