Barges in the Navesink River seen from E Front and Spring Streets Saturday morning. (Photo by Brian Donohue. Click to enlarge.)
By BRIAN DONOHUE
The site of dredges digging up mud and muck from the Navesink River will be a common sight over the next month or so as state contractors dredge the boating channels to keep them navigable.
Several barges could be seen Saturday morning (pictured above) and actively dredging the channel Monday.
New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) officials announced the upcoming Upper Navesink River Chanel dredging project is scheduled to begin in early December in Middletown.
From the DOT press release:
The $5.2 million project will restore channels to a safe navigable depth. NJDOT’s contractor, Mobile Dredging & Video Pipe Inc., will dredge fine sand and silt from Upper Navesink River Channel in Middletown. The project will restore safe navigation by dredging the channels to their appropriate depths, between four and six feet. The public is advised to use caution when boating in the area.
Dredging operations are scheduled to begin in early December and are expected to be completed in January 2025. Work will be conducted during daylight hours on a 7-days-a-week schedule. The area is expected to remain open through the duration of the project.
All material removed from the channels will be transported via pipeline and discharged into belt filter presses at the Swimming River Park. The pipeline will be clearly marked with buoys and lights for safe navigation. Channel closures are not expected, but if they are needed, closures will be communicated through the Local Notice to Mariners. State Aids to Navigation (ATON) will be removed as necessary for the duration of the project.
The public is advised to be aware of and stay alert for the pipeline, buoys, dredge, and other maritime construction equipment during the project. NJDOT asks that no one enter the construction areas nor approach project-related equipment (including dredges). Boaters should proceed through dredging and construction zones with caution and can contact the dredge for meeting/passing arrangements on Channel 13 or Channel 72. No wake speed should be observed in active work zones.
redbankgreen editor Brian Donohue may be reached via email at [email protected] or by calling or texting 848-331-8331 or yelling his name loudly as he walks by. Do you value the news coverage provided by redbankgreen? Please become a financial supporter if you haven’t already. Click here to set your own level of monthly or annual contribution.
