The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Detroit District, awards a $397,200 contract to the King Co., Holland, Mich., for dredging the outer portion of St. Joseph Harbor in southwest Michigan.
“We are pleased to award this dredging contract so that navigational channels in St. Joseph Harbor can be kept open for important marine commerce that helps boost the local economy and support jobs,” said Lt. Col. Robert Ells, district engineer. “Marine transport of commodities is safe, economical and environmentally friendly.” Cargo coming into St. Joseph Harbor includes limestone, sand, gravel, armor stone, cement, slag, salt and petroleum products.
King Co. will dredge 62,000 cubic yards within the navigational channel leading out into Lake Michigan. Work is expected to begin in early May and wrap up in early June. The contractor will deposit the dredged materials on a shoreline area south of the harbor for beach nourishment.
The contract was awarded under the Corps’ Multiple Award Task Order Contract, MATOC, which the Detroit District established with 10 companies capable of dredging in the Great Lakes. The MATOC is designed to provide greater flexibility and expedite the bid solicitation-award process for dredging in Great Lakes commercial shipping channels and harbors.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Detroit District, maintains a navigation system of 91 harbors and four connecting channels, including the channels joining lakes Superior, Michigan, Huron, St. Clair and Erie. For more details, please contact Lynn Rose, public affairs officer, 313-226-4680, or Mollie Mahoney, project manager, 313-226-2033.
To see the most recent condition surveys of the area to be dredged, visit http://www.lre.usace.army.mil. Under the “Missions” tab, click on “Operations,” then “Project Overview Information” and “St. Joseph Harbor.” Sheet 1 depicts the area to be dredged.