Buffalo District Awards Two Channel Maintenance Contracts to Ryba Marine
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Buffalo District awarded a $1.5 million contract to Ryba Marine Construction Company for dredging the federal navigation channel and harbor areas of Oswego Harbor in New York. The contract was awarded March 21, and the contractor anticipates starting work in June 2019.
The channel was last dredged in 2016, when 171,000 cubic yards were removed. The Corps said the frequency of dredging in Oswego Harbor is subject to the availability and timing of funds. The Corps of Engineers schedules dredging every three to four years at the Oswego Harbor in order to maintain federally authorized depths, which include 21 to 24 feet in the Oswego River channel, 25 feet in the outer harbor, and 27 feet in the lake approach channel.
“Serving as the first U.S. port of call and deepwater port on the Great Lakes from the St. Lawrence Seaway, the Port of Oswego is a critical economic engine for Oswego County and all of Central New York,” said Rep. Katko. “I have worked closely with the U.S. Army Corps to advocate for this funding and appreciate their continued commitment to the port and our region. Dredging in the navigation channel and harbor areas of Oswego Harbor will allow for increased traffic at the port and will bolster our regional economy.”
Oswego Harbor is a deep draft commercial harbor interconnected with seven commercial ports, supporting more than 250,000 tons annually.
“We are grateful for the advocacy of Senator Gillibrand, Senator Schumer, and Representative Katko, as well as other state and local partners, who have worked hard to secure funding for the effort,” said Lt. Col. Jason Toth, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Buffalo District commander.
On April 10, the Buffalo District also awarded Ryba Marine a $1.1 million contract for dredging of the federal navigation channel and harbor areas in Ashtabula Harbor in Ohio. Under this contract and a subsequent November 2018 $1 million contract, approximately 430,000 cubic yards of material is to be dredged this year. The contractor expects to begin work in July 2019 with dredging to be performed in the outer harbor and lake approach channel.
Ashtabula Harbor was last dredged in 2017, removing approximately 175,000 cubic yards of material. The Corps of Engineers schedules dredging every two to three years in Ashtabula Harbor in order to maintain federally authorized depths. The outer harbor has authorized depths between 22 and 30 feet, while the Ashtabula River channel has authorized depths between 16 and 30 feet.
As a major receiving and shipping port on the Great Lakes, Ashtabula Harbor supports transportation of 4.3 million tons of commodities such as coal, iron ore, limestone, chemicals, ores and minerals.
