GORDON PASS DREDGING COMPLETED

A long-awaited dredging project began in September at Gordon Pass which connects Naples Bay and the Gulf of Mexico to remove shoals.

Crews from Southwind Construction worked 12 hours a day seven days a week to pump sand onto beaches at the northern tip of Keewaydin Island. 

The $1.7 million job which began September 12 was scheduled to be completed by October 15.

The pass will remain open but the Corps of Engineers which is paying for the work advised caution. 

The Corps last dredged the pass to a depth of 12 feet in 2010. The new dredging also will deepen the channel to 12 feet from as little as four feet.