The U.S. Coast Guard said in its latest announcement that they are establishing two safety zones to facilitate the deepening of the main navigational channel in the Delaware River on or about August 30, 2017, through March 15, 2018.
During this time, the dredgers Essex and Charleston, owned by Norfolk Dredging Company, will be dredging in Marcus Hook Range and Anchorage, Bellevue Range, Chester Range and Eddystone Range.
Safety zone one includes all the waters within a 250 yard radius of the dredgers, including all related dredge equipment.
According to the announcement, safety zone two will be in place only during the time the dredge Essex and/or Charleston is conducting dredging operations in Marcus Hook Anchorage.
The final contract
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers last month awarded final contract for Delaware River deepening project – Upper Reach B – to Norfolk Dredging Company in the amount of $50.2 million.
This represents the 10th and final dredging contract for the Delaware River Main Channel Deepening Project, deepening the Delaware River federal navigation channel from 40 to 45 feet between Philadelphia and the sea.
The project is a joint effort of the Army Corps’ Philadelphia District and PhilaPort.
The Delaware River Main Channel Deepening project began in March of 2010. The deeper channel will provide for more efficient transportation of containerized, dry bulk (steel and slag) and liquid bulk (crude oil and petroleum products) cargo to and from the Delaware River ports.