Barnegat Bay Inlet area dredging to begin in October

Contractor in the process of mobilization and placing pipeline for project

The work is part of an $8.7 million dollar project to dredge State channels in Forked River and Barnegat Bay. This portion of the project will include the following channels: Double Creek Mainland, Double Creek Inlet, High Bar Harbor and Barnegat Light Stake. Double Creek Inlet Channel has been closed, and commercial, sailboat and general recreational traffic had been severely limited in some locations since Superstorm Sandy. This project will ensure renewed safe navigation, and maintain these Barnegat Bay Channels in a state of good repair.

In preparation for the dredging, NJDOT’s contractor, Great Lakes Dredge and Dock Company, LLC, is now working during daylight hours, seven days a week to place pipeline in or near the channels, which will be both submerged and floating. The pipeline will be used to pump sediment to the Oyster Creek Confined Disposal Facility (CDF) and sand to the Barnegat Borough Beach near the Barnegat Lighthouse Stake Park.

Dredging operations are expected to begin in early-October and continue 24-hours-a-day, seven-days-a-week through the end of December. Channel use may be limited where the dredge is in operation and where the pipeline is carrying dredged material to its placement locations. Channel closures are not expected, although this is subject to change.

Mariners should be advised that State Aids to Navigation (ATON) will be removed as necessary for the duration of the project. Updates to the Local Notice to Mariners should be expected as the project progresses.

The public is advised to be aware of and stay alert to the pipeline, buoys, dredge and other equipment during this time. NJDOT asks that no one approach the pipeline, dredge or any related project equipment under any circumstances, whether or not active dredging operations are observed.

Pipelines can often be difficult to see on the water, and boaters should proceed through dredging maintenance and construction zones with the utmost caution. No wake speed should be observed in active work zones throughout the project duration.

Following Superstorm Sandy, NJDOT in March 2014 announced a comprehensive State Channel Dredging and Emergency Response Program to ensure and maintain safe navigation statewide, and to continue to be able to respond adequately to waterway impacts from named storms.

The precise timing of the work is subject to change due to weather or other factors. For NJDOT news follow us on Twitter @NJDOT_info.