Monday, April 10th Update:  Mobile Dredging Completes Dredging Project

Mobile completed dredging operations in Whale Harbor.  They have begun demobilizing – moving the dredges and booster station, and removing dredge pipe in the channels.  Essentially, the dredging project in Avalon has been completed.

Additionally Mobile Dredging had to complete the post-dredge survey.  This marks the end of Avalon’s three-year back bay dredging project.

Friday, March 24th Update:  Bay Park Marina Dredging Completed

As of this afternoon, Mobile Dredging had completed Bay Park Marina and the southern section of Long Reach.  The dredge is currently located at the north end of Long Reach (Sta 174+00) and is heading south along Long Reach heading towards Whale Harbor.

Channel Marine began private slip work on Whale Harbor (Pelican Avenue properties) this week.  They have completed 14 of the 24 properties.

Mobile intends to move south along Long Reach then into Whale Harbor following behind Channel Marine once they are completed the private slip work.

Saturday, March 18th Update:  Dredging Project Moves to Bay Park Marina

Mobile Dredging has completed hydraulic dredging at the south end of the project (Long Reach/74th St)

Channel Marine has completed mechanical dredging in Bay Park Marina (55th St). The work done by Channel was to facilitate the hydraulic dredging that will be completed in the marina by Mobile.

Mobile has moved the dredge up to Bay Park Marina.

Future plans are for Mobile to complete the dredging work at Bay Park Marina early next week and move into Long Reach again. Channel Marine plans to move their barge and excavator to Whale Harbor and could begin mechanical dredging of private slips there early next week.

Monday, March 13th Update:  Dredging Continues, May be Suspended Due to Coastal Storm

The dredge has moved out of Gravens Thorofare and is now set up at the southern end of the 3rd Ave Waterway between 74th and 73rd St.

Weather permitting, they are scheduled to begin heading north along 3rd Ave Waterway.

It is possible the dredging operation may be suspended for the upcoming coastal storm that will bring moderate coastal flooding to our region.

Wednesday, March 8th Update:  Dredging Project Continues, New Pipeline Map Coming Soon

The dredge has now moved out of the main section of Gravens Thorofare.

As of this morning (March 8th) they are located at the end of Pelican Drive (Station -1+00 on Sheet 10 of the construction plans), where Gravens Thorofare, Long Reach and Whale Harbor intersect.

A revised pipeline plan map will be forthcoming this week; it will be posted on this page when it is received.

Friday, February 24th, 2017 Update:  Final Stage of Dredging Project Begins Today

This is the dredging pipeline plan submitted to the United States Coast Guard for the final phase of the Avalon’s three-year dredging project

Mobile Dredging will begin dredging work today starting where they left off last year at Station 22+00 in Gravens Thorofare and heading southerly along Gravens towards Long Reach.  This is the final phase of Avalon’s back bay dredging project.  For the complete map of areas that have been/will be dredged, scroll to the bottom of this page.

Friday, February 3rd, 2017 Update:  Mobile Dredging Begins Final Stage of Project

Mobile Dredging has remobilized and began preliminary work for upcoming backbay dredging operations.

The contractor has begun laying out the dredge pipe along Gravens Thorofare heading to Long Reach Thorofare.  They have moved their two dredges into place on Gravens Thorfare.  At this time, there are no channel closures.

On the CDF, the contractor is performing earth moving work and raising the berm height.  They are excavating previously dredged materials from the interior of the CDF then placing and compacting the material along the existing outer berm to raise the height.

The Borough does not yet have a schedule for the actual dredging operations, as Mobile is still formulating the upcoming work.

 

Friday, August 12th, 2016 Update:  Dredging Likely to Resume in September/October, 2016

The Borough of Avalon is prepared to enter the final phase of a three-year dredging project after Labor Day weekend.  The next phase of the project will result in dredging, where necessary in spots along Graven’s Thorofare, Long Reach, Whale Harbor, Bay Park Marina, and between 73rd-75th streets in the Third Avenue waterway.  Mobile Dredging will again be doing this project for the Borough.  Information on private slip dredging within the scope of this project will be available soon.  It is important to note that the material dredged from the waterway and the private slips is placed into Avalon’s CDF located just off Avalon Boulevard.  That CDF is near capacity and work will be done to create more capacity in the facility.

It is important to note that this next phase of the project involves State channels.  New Jersey transportation projects have been shut down due to a dispute in Trenton over funding for the Transportation Trust Fund and the potential for a gasoline tax increase or some other mechanism to fund this program.  Until that issue is resolved, no dredging will occur.

Tuesday, March 15th Update:  Dredging Project Concludes for Winter/Spring season

The Avalon Dredging Project is now concluded for the winter/spring season.  The dredging project must stop by March 15th due to the location of an osprey nest near Avalon’s CDF.  The project will return for one more off season starting in September and will include Bay Park Marina, and Long Reach.

Tuesday, March 8th Update:  Mobile Dredging Finished in Oler Thorofare

Mobile has completed dredging work in Oler Thorofare and are now located in Gravens Thorofare at approx. Station 44+00. They are now headed south along Gravens near the CDF.

Monday, March 7th Update:  Mobile Dredging Continues Dredging Oler Thorofare, near Gravens

Mobile continues hydraulic dredging in Oler Thorofare. They are located at Station 48+00 heading west, and are approx. 200’ from Gravens Thorofare.  They are back to working 12 hour day shifts and did not work this past weekend.

Monday, February 29th Update:  Mobile Continues Work in Oler Thorofare; Private Slips Finished

Mobile continues hydraulic dredging in Oler Thorfare. They are currently located at Station 58+00 and heading in a westerly direction up the waterway towards Gravens Thorofare. They have approx. 1200 linear feet until Oler is complete and they reach Gravens.

They are now working 24 hour shifts and 6 days a week ( off Sundays).  Private slip work that was conducted by Channel Marine is completed for the winter season.

Friday, February 19th Update:  Private Slip Dredging for Winter Completed; Mobile Continues to Dredge Main Channel

Channel Marine has completed dredging of private slips along Ocean Drive. Since Mobile Dredging is scheduled to move to Oler Thorfare which has no homes, Channel is essentially done work for this spring.  Their barge and equipment are still in the waterway.  Channel will wait for Mobile to get past in order to get the barge past the dredge pipeline.  Channel still has some work to do replacing docks and floats.

Mobile continues hydraulic dredging and is now located at the corner of the waterways where the unnamed waterway and Third Ave Waterway meet.  They are currently dredging in the cove located at the intersection of the 2 waterways (intersection of Ocean Drive and 39th Street).

Tuesday, February 10th Update:  Dredging Continues by Mobile Dredging, Channel Marine

Mobile continues to perform hydraulic dredging in Porpoise Lagoon.  They are finished the western portion of the waterway and are now located at Station 4+00 and are heading east.

Channel has begun mechanical dredging of private boat slips for homes on 39th St.

Here is the latest pipeline route provided by Mobile Dredging for this phase of the project:

Mobile Dredging Pipeline Plan FEBRUARY 2016

Wednesday, January 20th Update:  Avalon Dredging Project Suspended Due to Winter Storm

Mobile and Channel are not working this week due to the high winds and approaching storm.

Mobile will be back on site beginning January 25 and will be removing pipe from Gravens Thorofare (north), Princeton Harbor, Pennslyvania Harbor, 3rd Avenue Waterway (north) and Cornell Harbor.  They will be installing pipe for the southern section of the project , running south out of the CDF, down Gravens Thorofare, Oler Thorofare, 3rd Avenue Waterway (south), and Porpoise Lagoon.  The contractor is scheduled to beginning dredging again on February 1st in Porpoise Lagoon.

Channel is scheduled to beginning dredging the private slips on 39th St on January 25.

Thursday, January 7th Update:  Cornell Harbor Dredging Completed

Here is an update on the Avalon Dredging Project provided by our municipal engineering firm of Hatch Mott MacDonald.  Mobile Dredging of Chester, PA is dredging the main channels while Channel Marine is the subcontractor conducting work on private slips in the areas to be dredged:

Mobile has completed hydraulic dredging of Cornell Harbor. They are currently anchored at the end of the waterway at Avalon Yacht Club where they are performing maintenance on the dredge.

Channel began mechanical dredging of private slips in Porpoise Lagoon this morning. They are currently at 17 Pelican Drive and are heading west along the lagoon.

Tuesday, December 22nd Update:  Work Continues in Cornell Harbor

Mobile is continuing hydraulic dredging in Cornell Harbor and are working at Station 62+00 (#558 7th St).  Channel Marine is working on private slips; Channel is working out their schedule for the dredging of private slips that are south of 30th Street on 3rd Avenue Waterway.

Wednesday, December 16th Update:  Cornell Harbor Next to be Dredged

Mobile Dredging has completed hydraulic dredging in the northern section of 3rd Avenue Waterway and have now moved into Cornell Harbor. They are located at Station 54+00 (#474 7th Avenue) and are heading northerly up Cornell Harbor.

Channel Marine was not on site Wednesday afternoon;  Channel Marine indicated that they would resume mechanical dredging tomorrow and work on the private slips in the Avalon Yacht Club.

Tuesday, December 15th Update:  Mobile Dredging Makes Good Progress on Avalon’s Back Bays

Mobile is continuing hydraulic dredging in the main channel of 3rd Avenue Waterway.  They are located at Station 46+50 (just south of 8th Street) and are heading north.  Channel Marine will be presenting its schedule to the Borough today as they continue to work on private boat slips as the subcontractor for Mobile.

Friday, December 4th Update:  Commodore Bay Marina Nearly Finished, Dredging Continues

Here is an update on the Avalon Back Bay Dredging Project from Mobile Dredging:  The major dredging operation at Commodore Bay Marina is nearly complete, and could be finished by the end of the day today.  Channel Marine, the contractor providing dredging of private slips, will resume work likely on Saturday, December 5th at Cornell Harbor.  Avalon will be receiving a more thorough update for the project ahead from our municipal engineering firm of Hatch Mott MacDonald before the end of the weekend.

Tuesday, December 1st Update:  Sport Fishing Center Completed, Marina Now Being Dredged

Here is an update on the Avalon Back Bay Dredging Project from Mobile Dredging:  The Avalon Sport Fishing Center was dredged in advance of the Thanksgiving holiday weekend.  Mobile Dredging has now moved north of the Center.  Mobile began dredging at the entrance of Commodore Bay Marina today.  We anticipate the marina taking several days to complete due to the size and the shallow depths.

Channel Marine is working at the north end of Commodore Bay Marina reinstalling docks.  They worked along the perimeter of the marina over the past several days using the mechanical dredging method to pull material into the interior of the marina for Mobile to dredge hydraulically.

The Borough of Avalon has received a permit modification to continue past January 1st, 2016.  It is the Borough’s intent to dredge until April 1, 2016.

Tuesday, November 17th Update:  Pennsylvania Harbor to be Completed Before Weekend

Here is the update on the Avalon Back Bay Dredging project on Tuesday, November 17th.  Mobile Dredging believes it will finish work in Pennsylvania Harbor by Wednesday, November 18th at the earliest.  Mobile will then be down for a few days before the weekend to move the dredge pipe.  Please see the graphic below for the dredge pipe map.  Channel Marine is also finished its work in Pennsylvania Harbor working on private slips.  Mobile Dredging expects to begin dredging the Third Avenue Waterway on Sunday or Monday, working their way north along the waterway next week.  Mobile will make sure not to disrupt operations at the Sport Fishing Center.  Pre-dredge hydrogaphic surveys will be conducted by Hatch Mott MacDonald along the Third Avenue Waterway beginning on Wednesday, starting in Cornell Harbor.  Due to permit regulations, Channel Marine must work closely in advance of Mobile Dredging and will continue to do so.

Wednesday, November 11th Update: Mobile Production Rate Approximately 200 Feet Per Day

Here is the update on the Avalon Back Bay Dredging Project being conducted by Mobile Dredging; the subcontractor for the dredging of private boat slips as designated by Mobile Dredging is Channel Marine:

Mobile is currently located in “the cove” between Fifth and Sixth Avenues. They are located at Station 1+50 and have an additional 150 feet remaining to dredge inside this area. They have been dredging approximately 200 feet per day.

Channel Marine is currently located on 20th Street at approximate Station 71+00.

Monday, November 9th Update:  Big Movement in Pennsylvania Harbor

The Borough of Avalon continues its back bay dredging project this week.  As of Monday evening, November 9th, Mobile Dredging was working in the Harbor near 6th Avenue, and continues to move east.  The dredging project in the Harbor could be wrapped up before the end of next week.  Channel Marine continues to move ahead on the private boat slips, and was not in operation today.

Monday, November 2nd Update:  Pipeline Dredging Plan For Pennsylvania Harbor/East

Mobile Dredging Pipeline Plan NOV 2015

Thursday, October 29th Update:  Private Slip Dredging Resumes Following Storm, Channel Dredging in Pennsylvania Harbor

Channel Marine did not work the past two days (October 27-28th) due to the weather.  They plan on resuming again today at Sunrise Marina.

Mobile Dredging is working in front of Anchorage Marina dredging the channel and the material that was excavated by Channel Marine previously.

Mobile’s plan is to continue dredging around Anchorage Marina and to the end of Sunrise Marina.  After completion of the channel at the end of Sunrise Marina, they plan to reroute the pipe east along the unnamed waterway off of Graven’s Thorofare, then north along Third Avenue Waterway to Pennsylvania Harbor, and then west along Pennsylvania Harbor to the dredge.  Avalon anticipates receiving the pipeline route plan from Mobile Dredging; once it is obtained, we will post it on this webpage.

Tuesday, October 27th Update:  Pennsylvania Harbor Dredging Underway

Mobile Dredging has begun the process of dredging Pennsylvania Harbor in Avalon.  The dredging of Sterback Harbor in Middle Township is complete, and now dredging is underway where Pennsylvania and Princeton harbors meet.  Avalon’s municipal engineers from Hatch Mott MacDonald are expected to receive plans on Mobile’s pipeline route.  More details and a further update from Mobile Dredging are expected on Wednesday, or Thursday morning.

Thursday, October 22nd Update:  Sterback Harbor in Middle Township Nearly Complete

Here is an update from Avalon’s municipal engineer regarding the progress of work conducted by Mobile Dredging on our back bay dredging project:

Mobile Dredging is located at approximate Station 14+00. They have approximately 250 linear feet remaining to be dredged in Sterback Harbor. They plan to finish Sterback Harbor by Saturday morning. Upon completion of Sterback, it will take approximately 1-2 days to demobilize the pipeline associated with the dredging of this waterway, and will then take another 2+ days to mobilize the pipeline and dredge for Pennsylvania Harbor. We anticipate dredging will recommence in Pennyslvania Harbor midweek next week.

Channel Marine is mobilized and will begin private boat slip dredging tomorrow morning, Friday October 23rd.

Tuesday, October 20th Update:  Sterback Harbor May Be Completed By the End of the Weekend

Here is the latest update on the Avalon Dredging Project as provided by Avalon Municipal Engineers Hatch Mott MacDonald:

Mobile Dredging continues to work in Sterback Harbor in Avalon Manor, Middle Township.  As of Monday afternoon, October 19th, Mobile was stationed at approximately 20 Seabreeze Lane in the manor.  Mobile Dredging reports significant progress over last weekend, and according to its current production rate, it is possible Mobile Dredging will finish Sterback Harbor by the end of this upcoming weekend.  Mobile’s subcontractor for the project, Channel Marine, will begin dredging private boat slips in Avalon starting Tuesday afternoon.  Channel’s current plan is to work from sunrise to sunset, and will reassess if needed later this week once several slips are completed.  Please scroll down this page to view the channel closing plan from Mobile Dredging.

Thursday, October 15th Update:  Sterback Harbor Underway, Pennsylvania Harbor in Avalon is Next

Here is the latest update on the Avalon Dredging Project as provided by Avalon Municipal Engineers Tom Thornton and Shawn Carr from Hatch Mott MacDonald:

  • Mobile is dredging in the cove area of Sterback Harbor (adjacent to Station 3+25) on Thursday, October 15th
  • They dredged Wednesday night, October 14th, which marks the beginning of 24 hrs/day work.
  • Today, October 15th,  during the day they will not be dredging, as they will be setting up a booster pump and anticipate this will aid in increasing production.
  • Based on their current progress since starting Sterback Harbor last week, we will be conservative in stating that the Sterback Harbor will be complete in two weeks plus a day or two (from their start date of 10/9/15), however Mobile believes that the increased production will change the completion date.
  • Channel Marine is scheduled to start private boat slip dredging in Pennsylvania Harbor on Monday 10/19 (at the west end of Pennsylvania Harbor) pending Mobile’s progress.

Friday, October 9th Update-Dredging Begins in Sterback Harbor, Princeton Harbor Completely Open

  • Mobile Dredging started dredging Sterback Harbor Friday morning, October 9th.
  • Mobile Dredging is working both Saturday and Sunday this coming weekend, one shift each day, October 10-11th
  • Mobile Dredging may implement a 24-hour work day starting on October 12th
  • Princeton Harbor is completely accessible at this point.  The same is true for Graven’s Thorofare.  A combination of pipe anchoring and submerging along these two waterways in compliance with the Pipeline Route Plan (with a couple of minor modifications) will allow boat traffic to utilize these channels.
  • Channel Marine will begin dredging private boat slips in Pennsylvania Harbor once Mobile Dredging makes progress on Sterback Harbor

Wednesday, October 7th Update-Mobile Dredging to Begin Work on Sterback Harbor, Middle Township, on October 8th

Here is the latest information regarding the Avalon Back Bay Dredging Project as provided by Hatch Mott MacDonald, Avalon Municipal Engineers:

  • Mobile encountered difficulties rerouting to the pipe from Princeton Harbor to Sterback Harbor, but they think they have overcome them and anticipated dredging in Sterback Harbor tomorrow.
  • Dredging of Sterback Harbor will take two weeks maximum.
  • Upon completion of Sterback Harbor, they will begin dredging of Pennsylvania Harbor, beginning at the west end and working east.

Mobile will be submitting a pipe route location plan for Pennsylvania Harbor consisting of extending the pipe down the unnamed through-channel south of the 25th Street bridge and running it along Third Avenue and out the end of Pennsylvania Harbor.

Thursday, October 1st Update-Mobile Dredging’s Pipe Route Plan; Princeton Harbor Work Finished

Mobile Dredging has finished its work in Princeton Harbor and plans to move into Sterback Harbor this weekend, weather permitting.  Any dredging operations are contingent on weather conditions being favorable.   Mobile Dredging also released its pipe route plan for the next phase of the project.  It is indicated in a graphical depiction below:

Mobile Dredging Pipeline Plan OCT 1 2015

Tuesday, September 29th Update-Dredging Moves to Sterback Harbor This Week

Avalon has received an update from Mobile Dredging regarding its anticipated schedule of dredging operations.  On Tuesday, September 29th, Mobile installed the submerged pipeline across Ingram Thorofare during the afternoon hours.  Mobile anticipates to complete the west end of Princeton Harbor on Wednesday, or Thursday morning at the latest.  Mobile expects to be dredging in Sterback Harbor in Middle Township by Saturday, pending the weather forecast.

Strong winds, high tides, and rain, heavy at times are in our forecast.  This schedule could be impacted by the bad weather expected along the eastern seaboard of the United States.

An anticipated route of the pipeline for the next phase of the project is expected to be received by Avalon before the close of business on Wednesday, September 30th.

Monday, September 28th Update–Anticipated Dredging Timeline for Avalon Sport Fishing Center

The dredging project has resumed. The Avalon Sport Fishing Center is scheduled to be dredged this fall in mid to late October.

All docks and pilings are going to have to be physically removed in order for the dredging to be completed properly and with the greatest benefit to the Sport Fishing Center and its slip holders.

Therefore, please make arrangements to remove your boat from its slip BY MONDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2015.  ALSO, please remove any dock boxes, shore lines and any other equipment from the dock by this date.

The removal of docks, finger piers, pilings and other structures is scheduled to commence on Monday, October 19 to accommodate the dredging operations and the docks will be reinstalled after the completion of this phase of the dredging project.

The Borough regrets any inconvenience this schedule may cause you but the benefit to be realized from the dredging will outweigh any inconvenience.

Your cooperation and compliance with this directive is most appreciated.

Friday, September 25th Update–Avalon Dredging Project Continues in Princeton Harbor

Avalon Municipal Engineer Thomas Thornton from Hatch Mott MacDonald and Alex Dick, Project Manager, Mobile Dredging have announced the following schedule of work for Phase Two of the Avalon Back Bay Dredging Project.  The Project resumed last week with touch up work being conducted in Princeton Harbor to conclude the work done in Fall/early Winter, 2014.  Work continues this week in Princeton Harbor before dredging of the main channel in Middle Township’s Sterback Harbor occurs.  Then, the project moves back to Avalon in October, 2015 for work to be done in Pennsylvania Harbor.

Here is the schedule submitted to the Borough of Avalon for the work to be conducted this week, and in the coming weeks.  Please remember this schedule is subject to change pending weather conditions, mechanical issues, etc.  Dates are tentative and estimated:

    • Completed the east end of Princeton Harbor at Third Avenue Waterway
    • Today (9/25) – Began dredging the southerly edge of bank along Princeton Harbor to the west of Gravens Thorofare
    • Tuesday (9/29) – Finish west bank of Princeton and begin moving pipe to Sterback Harbor
    • Wednesday (9/30) – Open Princeton Harbor
    • Two weeks estimated to complete Sterback Harbor
    • After completing Sterback Harbor, move pipe to westerly end of Pennsylvania Harbor and start working in an easterly direction (Close Pennsylvania Harbor approximately October 15)

Following this work, the plan by Mobile Dredging is to have Pennsylvania Harbor closed through December, Cornell Harbor closed from November 1 through December.

Here are suggested alternate routes to Gravens Thorofare:

For properties within Princeton Harbor, the only alternate routes available would be under the 21st or 25th Street bridges to either Pennsylvania Harbor (to the north) or the unnamed waterway at 26th Street (to the south).  This only works for smaller boats; larger boats must wait until the harbor is opened on September 29th.

For properties within Pennsylvania Harbor, once the dredge moves past their property, the channel will be closed to the west until December 31, so any properties to the east of the dredge would have to use Third Avenue Waterway and Cornell Harbor.

As the dredge works its way east in Pennsylvania Harbor, north in Third Avenue waterway, and west in Cornell Harbor, these waterways will be closed from the location of the dredge to the west end of Pennsylvania Harbor, until December 31st.  As with Pennsylvania Harbor, properties located along this route would have to use the open portions of Third Avenue and Cornell Harbor.

Wednesday, September 23rd Update–Channel Closure/Alternate Route Schedule for Avalon Dredging Project

Avalon Municipal Engineer Thomas Thornton from Hatch Mott MacDonald and Alex Dick, Project Manager, Mobile Dredging have announced the following schedule of work for Phase Two of the Avalon Back Bay Dredging Project.  The Project resumed last week with touch up work being conducted in Princeton Harbor to conclude the work done in Fall/early Winter, 2014.  Work continues this week in Princeton Harbor before dredging of the main channel in Middle Township’s Sterback Harbor occurs.  Then, the project moves back to Avalon in October, 2015 for work to be done in Pennsylvania Harbor.

Here is the schedule submitted to the Borough of Avalon for the work to be conducted this week, and in the coming weeks.  Please remember this schedule is subject to change pending weather conditions, mechanical issues, etc.  Dates are tentative and estimated:

  • Wednesday (9/23) – Move to the east end and complete minor dredging along Third Avenue Waterway
  • Thursday (9/24) – Move pipe to the west end of Princeton and begin dredging the edges along the west bank
  • Monday (9/28) – Finish west bank of Princeton and begin moving pipe to Sterback Harbor
  • Tuesday (9/29) – Open Princeton Harbor
  • Two weeks estimated to complete Sterback Harbor
  • After completing Sterback Harbor, move pipe to westerly end of Pennsylvania Harbor and start working in an easterly direction (Close Pennsylvania Harbor approximately October 15)

Following this work, the plan by Mobile Dredging is to have Pennsylvania Harbor closed through December, Cornell Harbor closed from November 1 through December.

Here are suggested alternate routes to Gravens Thorofare:

For properties within Princeton Harbor, the only alternate routes available would be under the 21st or 25th Street bridges to either Pennsylvania Harbor (to the north) or the unnamed waterway at 26th Street (to the south).  This only works for smaller boats; larger boats would have to wait until the harbor is opened on September 29th.

For properties within Pennsylvania Harbor, once the dredge moves past their property, the channel will be closed to the west until December 31, so any properties to the east of the dredge would have to use Third Avenue Waterway and Cornell Harbor.

As the dredge works its way east in Pennsylvania Harbor, north in Third Avenue waterway, and west in Cornell Harbor, these waterways will be closed from the location of the dredge to the west end of Pennsylvania Harbor, until December 31st.  As with Pennsylvania Harbor, properties located along this route would have to use the open portions of Third Avenue and Cornell Harbor.

Tuesday, September 1st 2015 Update–Information About The Fall 2015 Dredging Project to Begin in Two Weeks

The second phase of Avalon’s back bay dredging project is scheduled to begin on Tuesday, September 15th 2015 with three to four days of touch up work in Princeton Harbor.  Following that work, Mobile Dredging will be moving its operation to Sterbeck Harbor in Middle Township before returning to Avalon in late September or early October in Pennsylvania Harbor.

Property owners are reminded that you may choose to participate in the project and have your private boat slips dredged , at your expense, but utilizing the permits issued to and held by the Borough. If you choose to participate in the project and have your slip dredged you must sign an access agreement, release, and send a check to the Borough for $300.00 to cover the cost of the pre and post dredge survey that is required for private boat slips by the Army Corp of Engineers; that survey work will be conducted by Avalon’s engineer, Hatch Mott MacDonald.  These documents must be signed and returned to the Borough by September 11, 2015 for residents who live along Pennsylvania Harbor; and by September 25th, 2015 for residents  who live along the Third Avenue Waterway (Ocean Drive) north to the Sport Fishing Center.  Deadlines have been extended past September 4th to provide additional opportunity for property owners to discuss the dredging of their private slips with the contractor.  Letters were mailed out to all property owners who may be part of the next phase of the project from September-December, 2015.  If you did not receive a letter, please contact the Avalon Office of Administration at (609) 967-5917 and speak with Carol Mengel; or, stop by Avalon Borough Hall weekdays from 8:15am-4:15pm.

While you are not required to have your boat slip dredged, this is an opportunity for you to do so if you choose, under the Borough’s permits.   In order to participate in the dredge project you must use Mobile Dredging and Pumping Co. (MOBILE) which has the exclusive right to dredge since it was the low bidder on the project and was awarded the contract by the Borough.  MOBILE has designated CHANNEL MARINE as its subcontractor to perform the dredging of private slips. No other company or individual except for MOBILE and its subcontractor CHANNEL MARINE is authorized to perform any dredging work on this project under the Borough’s permits.     If a property owner does not wish to participate in the Borough’s dredging project using the Borough’s permits, that individual may seek individual permits from State and Federal agencies and coordinate private slip dredging and subsequent disposal of dredge materials with any contractor of their choosing.

Please continue to check this website for further updates.

 

Friday, July 31st 2015 Update–Dredging Project to resume in mid-September 2015 in Avalon

Phase Two of the Avalon Back Bay Dredging Project will begin in September, 2015.  Mobile Dredging will continue the dredging project on Tuesday, September 15th by returning to Princeton Harbor for approximately five days of work to touch up some areas in the Harbor.  In late September, Mobile Dredging will perform a dredging operation in Sterbeck Harbor, Middle Township; Middle Township is a partner in this major back bay dredging operation.  Following the dredging of Sterbeck Harbor, Mobile Dredging will return to Avalon to begin work in Pennsylvania Harbor.  Currently, State and Federal seasonal restrictions allow dredging operations to occur in our waterways from September 15th through December 31st.

The scheduled locations for back bay dredging operations in the fall are subject to change depending on variables including but not limited to mechanical reliability and weather conditions.  It is anticipated that the Fall 2015 dredging project in Avalon will be conducted in Pennsylvania Harbor, moving eastward to the Third Avenue waterway; turn north to Cornell Harbor, and moving westward through Cornell Harbor; the contractor will then move  to Porpoise Lagoon.  Please continue to follow the progress on www.avalonboro.net for updated information.

The contract to conduct the dredging of the main channels and to work with property owners to dredge the private boat slips was awarded to Mobile Dredging.  Mobile Dredging will be using the services of Channel Marine to conduct the dredging of the private boat slips.  Mobile Dredging will continue to hydraulically dredge the main channels, while Channel Marine will continue to mechanically dredge the private boat slips, placing the material in the main channel for Mobile to collect.  By contract, Mobile Dredging is required to place channel markers, lights, and buoys in the waterways as a safety precaution to our boaters and other maritime interests.  Please exercise caution while boating this Fall and early Winter near Avalon and Avalon Manor, Middle Township.

By contract and by permit, property owners who are adjacent to these channels in areas where dredging must occur are eligible to have their private boat slips dredged.  There are areas of the channels that are not contracted or permitted to receive dredging work due to sufficient water depths.  Currently properly owners in these channels who are adjacent to waters that are not to be dredged cannot have their private slips dredged since material in those slips would need to be transported via barge to an area that will be dredged (commonly called ‘open water disposal’).  However, Avalon’s Mayor, Council, Administration, and Municipal Engineer have engaged in discussions with the permitting agencies to allow the transport of this material to an area that will be dredged.  The Borough will update this information as soon as it becomes available from the agencies.

In the next two weeks, the Borough will be sending letters to property owners that will include all of the information necessary to consider the dredging of private boat slips.  Property owners will also be contacted directly by Channel Marine to discuss opportunities to have private slips dredged at the property owners’ expense.  The packet of information will include a “to do” checklist; an access agreement; a hold harmless agreement, and an information letter explaining the project.  Property owners may not contract with any other agency to remove dredge materials from their slips to be placed into the waterway to be dredged, nor are they permitted to do the work themselves.  If property owners are not able to reach an agreement with Channel Marine to have their private slips dredged, they still retain the ability to seek their own permits and hire their own contractor to remove material from their slips.

Avalon will follow the identical practices and procedures that were enacted last year when the dredging project began in October, 2014.  Property owners who wish to have their private slips dredged must complete all paperwork enclosed in the mailing that they will receive, include a check for $300, and return paperwork/check to the Borough of Avalon on or before Friday, September 4th, 2015 at 4:15pm.  The check will cover pre-dredge and post-dredge surveys of the property owner’s private slip conducted by Avalon Municipal Engineer Hatch Mott MacDonald.

Property owners must remember that if the proper documents/check does not arrive in advance of the aforementioned deadline, the private slip will not be dredged.  Channel Marine and Mobile Dredging will not come back to an area to accommodate a late request for a private slip to be dredged.  Channel Marine will be meeting with property managers at major condominium units to discuss costs and timing issues associated with boat slips included in the next round of the dredging project.  It is also the Borough’s intentions to mechanically dredge the Avalon Sport Fishing Center during Phase Two.

Thursday, December 31st Update–Permit Modifications Secured; Dredging of Princeton Harbor to End January 4, 2015

On Wednesday, December 31st the Borough of Avalon successfully received permit modifications from the State of New Jersey and the United States Army Corps of Engineers that allows for the dredging of Princeton Harbor to conclude on January 4, 2015. This four-day extension of the permit was requested by the Borough due to a small delay in the project caused by mechanical issues experienced by Mobile Dredging and Dock Company, the contractor for the project.

These permit modifications will allow Mobile Dredging to finish the dredging of Princeton Harbor before the mandated suspension of the project that will run until September 15th, 2015. At that time, Mobile Dredging will return to conduct the dredging of Sterbeck Harbor in Middle Township before resuming work in Avalon.

All private slip dredging is concluded in Princeton Harbor.

Wednesday, November 19th Update–Channel Marine Accepting Orders for Private Slip Dredging Until Friday, November 21st

A reminder for property owners along Princeton Harbor:  Channel Marine will be accepting orders for dredging of private slips in Princeton Harbor until the close of business on Friday, November 21st.  Any requests to have private slips dredged by Channel Marine in advance of the channel dredging from Mobile Dredging & Pumping Co. must be in by Friday with no exceptions.  Wednesday, November 19th is the deadline to return your access agreement, release, and $300 escrow check for slip surveys to the Borough of Avalon.  Avalon Borough Hall is open until 4:15pm at 31st and Dune Drive in Avalon.

Channel Marine will begin dredging private boat slips in Princeton Harbor on Thursday, November 20th.  To contact Channel Marine, please call (609) 967-5600.

Wednesday, November 12th Update–Channel Marine to Dredge Private Slips; Deadline to Return Documents November 19, 4:15pm

The following letter is being mailed certified to Princeton Harbor property owners on Wednesday, November 12, 2014

From the desk of Avalon Mayor Martin Pagliughi regarding the Borough’s dredging project along Princeton Harbor in Fall/Winter, 2014

Dear Property Owner:

I want to provide you with an important, time-sensitive update on the Borough of Avalon’s dredging project that will begin on or about Thanksgiving weekend, 2014 in Princeton Harbor. You have already received correspondence from the Borough regarding the ability for you to have your slip dredged in advance of Mobile Dredging & Pumping Co. dredging the main channel. This private slip dredging comes as an option to you, at your individual expense.

It has remained the Borough’s goal to obtain for you the best possible price for this work. The Borough has designated Channel Marine Construction, Inc. of Clermont, NJ to dredge (subject to your agreement with them) your private slip in advance of Mobile dredging the main channel; Mobile Dredging & Pumping Co. will not be dredging your private slip. This will help accomplish our goal of keeping your costs at a minimum while making every effort to complete the dredging of Princeton Harbor before Dec. 31, 2014.

Earlier this month you received via mail a packet of information that contained documents to be returned to the Borough of Avalon if you have interest in having your private slip dredged; all of this information also appears at www.avalonboro.net. If you have returned your general release, access agreement, and $300 escrow check to the Borough, do nothing; Channel Marine Construction will contact you directly to negotiate a contract for your slip. If you have not returned these two documents and the $300 escrow check, you must do so immediately and have these documents in Avalon Borough Hall no later than Wednesday, November 19th, at 4:15pm. Failure to do so will be considered a waiver of your opportunity to have your private slip dredged under the Borough’s permits and during this project. Once these documents are returned to the Borough, Channel Marine Construction will contact you immediately. Do not contact Mobile Dredging & Pumping Co. regarding the dredging of your private slip.

Under no condition will Channel Marine Construction return to your slip for private dredging once the main dredge passes by your property. If you have any questions, please call Channel Marine Construction directly at (609) 967-5600 or Avalon Borough Hall/Department of Administration at (609) 967-5917.

Sincerely,

Martin L. Pagliughi

Mayor Avalon NJ

Thursday, October 30th Update–Essential Documents and Information Released for Dredging Project

The Borough of Avalon held a pre-construction meeting on Monday, October 27th with officials from Mobile Dredging & Pumping Co. from Chester, PA.  The meeting was held to discuss essential details about the upcoming back bay dredging project involving the Borough of Avalon, Middle Township, and the New Jersey Department of Transportation.  As a result of the meeting, essential information was gleaned from the contractor relating to this project.  As a result, the Borough of Avalon has prepared four documents for property owners who may wish to have thier private slips dredged at their expense during the project.  These documents are listed below.

Some of the major developments of the pre-construction meeting include:

-Mobile Dredging & Pumping Co. was issued an official “Notice to Proceed” from the Borough of Avalon at the conclusion of the meeting.

-The dredging project will begin at a point to be determined in Princeton Harbor, and it is likely that only Princeton Harbor will be dredged in 2014 before the contractor returns in September, 2015.

-The actual dredging work is expected to begin on or about Thanksgiving weekend and continue until December 31st, 2014.

-It is the intention of Mobile Dredging & Pumping Co. to dredge Monday through Saturday, 24 hours a day, with only one break day of Sunday.  Dredging operations will occur on Sunday only if “catch up” time is needed.

There are four documents for property owners in the project area to review.  All four of these documents will be direct mailed to property owners in the area with the first mailing to Princeton Harbor on Friday, October 31st.  The documents include a “must do” checklist for homeowners; a “Welcome” letter from the Borough explaining how private slips may be dredged; a release that must be completed and signed by the property owner; and an access agreement that must be completed and signed by the property owner.

Please keep in mind that it is imperative that the access agreement, the release, and a $300 check made payable to the Borough of Avalon (escrow funding for pre and post dredging inspections mandated by our permits) must be mailed or dropped off to the administrative offices of Avalon Borough Hall before the contractor dredges your private slip.  The same documents that are being mailed to propery owners appear below on this website.  Your direct mail piece will include two-sided documents for your convenience so please be sure to read, complete, and sign both sides of essential documents before returning (only the private slips release and access agreement need to be signed and returned).  Property owners of Princeton Harbor must complete this process before dredging operations reach the channel along their property.  Under no condition will the dredge pass by a property and return back to dredge a boat slip.  Property owners have the ability to negotiate directly with Mobile Dredging & Pumping Co. on a price to have a private slip dredged; their contact information is on documents posted below.

2014 Avalon Dredging Project WELCOME LETTER

2014 Avalon Dredging Project TO DO CHECKLIST

2014 Avalon Dredging Project ACCESS AGREEMENT

2014 Avalon Dredging Project PRIVATE SLIPS RELEASE

 

2014 Avalon Dredging Project Cost Savings AnalysisOctober 22nd update–Avalon Council Awards Dredging Contract to Mobile Dredging and Pumping Co.

The Avalon Borough Council awarded a contract to Mobile Dredging & Pumping Company from Chester, PA to conduct a major two to three year back bay dredging project in the community. The contract totals $3.587 million and will result in 120,000 cubic yards of dredge material being removed from waterways managed by Avalon, Middle Township, and the State of New Jersey. The agreement involves a cost-share arrangement between the three beneficiaries of the dredging project.

“This dredging project is the largest infrastructure project in the Borough since our major downtown revitalization effort”, said Avalon Mayor Martin Pagliughi. “The dredging project will result in safe navigation for recreational and commercial watercraft for many years to come while reinforcing the significant financial impact these waterways provide for the Borough, region, and the entire State of New Jersey. Partnerships with neighboring Middle Township and the State were the reason why this contract was able to be unanimously approved by Council on Wednesday night”.

Through this partnership agreement, Avalon, Middle Township, and the State will all share in associated costs including mobilization, removal of materials from Graven’s Island, dredging, and wetlands restoration. The New Jersey Department of Transportation has agreed to provide up to $2.6 million towards this project. Pre-construction surveys will identify where specifically the work will be conducted, and how much material will be removed at each location.

Important back bay waterways will be dredged during this project in Avalon including Princeton/Cornell/Pennsylvania harbors, Third Avenue Waterway/Avalon Canal, 54th Street Marina, Oler’s/Graven’s Thoroughfare (state channel), Long Reach (state channel), Whale Harbor (state channel), and Sterbeck Harbor (Avalon Manor, Middle Township). During this project, material will be dredged out of these channels to a depth of six feet below mean low water. Private slip owners will also have the ability to negotiate with Mobile Dredging and Pumping Co. on a price to dredge their slips at their own expense while using Avalon’s state and federal permits. Monitoring of the entire project will be provided by Avalon municipal engineer Hatch Mott MacDonald of Cape May Court House.

A “Notice to Proceed” is being awarded to Mobile Dredging and Pumping Co. on Monday, October 27th. The contractor will attend a pre-construction meeting in Avalon and have three weeks to mobilize equipment. It is anticipated that the contractor will conduct several weeks of dredging in Avalon before the end of the year; the project will likely begin in Princeton Harbor. Dredging operations will only be interrupted by severe weather or mechanical failure. All dredge materials will be placed in Graven’s Island. That island recently had prior dredge materials removed in anticipation of this new project.

This dredging project will conclude in either December, 2015 or sometime during the fall of 2016. Current state regulations prohibit dredging between January 1st-June 30th due to the winter flounder season and anadromous fish restriction; and from March 15th through September 15th for nesting birds. These restrictions provide only 16 weeks per calendar year for dredging to occur.

Mobile Dredging & Pumping Co. is a Carylon Company with resources that include 1,100 rolling pieces of equipment and over 1,000 employees. The company has been in business since 1949, and has been performing hydraulic dredging, sewer cleaning, industrial vacuuming and sludge and sediment dewatering along the East Coast of the United States from Maine to Florida.

Avalon will conduct a direct mail piece to every private slip owner in the project area that will provide contact information for Mobile Dredging & Pumping Co. to initiate the process of having their private slips dredged at their own expense. All updates on this project will be posted continually on Avalon’s municipal website, www.avalonboro.net.

 

October 8th update–Pre-bid meeting held with dredging companies in Avalon Borough Hall

Avalon Borough officials held a pre-bid meeting at Borough Hall on Wednesday, October 7th to discuss the upcoming dredging project in Avalon. Four companies attended the meeting to learn more about the project, the bid specs, and the expectations of the Borough to dredge private boat slips in the project area. Attendees were also instructed that the Borough expects the winning bidder to negotiate fairly with private boat slip owners when it comes time to pass by their properties. Bids will be opened on Friday, October 17th, at 10:00am with an expectation that Council may award the contract at its Wednesday, October 22nd meeting at 7:00pm. A Notice to Proceed will be issued within four days of the award of the contract, with a three-week mobilization period before dredging begins this fall. Both Princeton Harbor in Avalon and Sterbeck Harbor in Middle Township are included in Phase One of the project. It is anticipated that Princeton Harbor will be dredged first with the goal of completing Princeton Harbor by December 31st, 2014. If the Harbor is not completed, Avalon may finish the Harbor next year, or petition agencies for permission to dredge a few weeks into the winter flounder season; there are no guarantees that request would be granted by state and federal agencies.

Please remember, state and federal agencies prohibit any dredging to occur between January 1st through June 30th (new restriction) of any year due to the winter flounder restricton and anadromous fish restriction; there is also a dredging restriction imposed by the state from March 15th through September 15th for nesting birds. Due to the short window of time to dredge in New Jersey (September 15th through December 31st), it is possible this project may extend into 2016.

September 24th update–Permits received from the NJDEP, USACOE, tentative schedule for award of bid released

The Borough of Avalon learned on Wednesday, September 24th that necessary permits are in hand for a major back bay dredging project that will commence during fall, 2014. According to Avalon Municipal Engineer Thomas Thornton of Hatch Mott MacDonald, the following schedule has been tentatively set for the progress of this project:

-Advertise for bids: Sunday, September 28

-Pre-Bid Meeting: Tuesday, October 7

-Receive bids: Friday, October 17

-Award Contract: Wednesday, October 22

-Notice to Proceed: Monday, October 27

Further discussion will be held during the Wednesday, September 24th meeting of the Avalon Borough Council. Avalon will dredge various waterways along the back bay regions of the community, and through a partnership with Middle Township, Sterbeck Harbor in Avalon Manor is also part of this project. Avalon will be allowed to dredge 24 hours a day, 7 days a week through December 31, 2014 due to the beginning of the winter flounder season. The project may start again anytime after May 31, 2015 when the winter flounder season ends. An exact timeline of the dredging project will become available in the coming weeks following the award of a bid and a meeting with the contractor. Boat slip owners in the project area will have the opportunity to have their slips dredged at their own expense if they choose to do so. Additional information on arrangements between the successful bidder and slip owners is forthcoming.

Avalon continues to offload materials from Graven’s Island. The offload is nearly complete which creates capacity at the island for the new dredge materials. The aforementioned schedule is subject to change, additional information will always be available on this website.

September 12, 2014–Update on the Avalon Dredging Project

On Friday, September 5th, Avalon administrators and Engineer Tom Thornton met with representatives from the United States Army Corps of Engineers to discuss Avalon’s upcoming dredging project.  During that meeting, a requirement was made to Avalon to provide plans to “60 scale” that provide exact detail of mudflats and wetlands buffers.  Mr. Thornton and the staff at Hatch Mott MacDonald was able to turn around the documents and deliver them to the USACOE and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection within five days of the request.  The USCOE has indicated that permit approvals may be expected on or about October 3rd, 2014.  Permits are needed from both from the USACOE and the NJDEP.  As of this date, both agencies have all of the information that they have requested from the Borough of Avalon.

The following is an anticipated schedule for progress on the dredging project assuming Avalon receives permits in early October and no additional information is requested by our state and federal partners:

Assuming that the agencies approve the permits for the Borough of Avalon on or before October 3rd, Avalon could advertise for contractors to bid on the dredging project on October 8th, 2014.  Bids would be received by October 28th, and a contract may be awarded the following day.  A Notice to Proceed would be held on October 31st, assuming the permits are delivered to the Borough of Avalon on or before October 3rd.

If this schedule remains in place, the Borough of Avalon will mail out letters to all property owners adjacent to the project area with the contractor’s contact information.  The contractor will mostly likely contact the property owners as well.

It remains the Borough’s full intent to begin the dredging project in 2014; the exact location of where the project will begin will be determined by discussions with the contractor and the amount of time remaining in the fall/early winter to dredge, along with any conditions placed on the Avalon permits.  Please remember that Avalon must cease dredging operations on December 31st due to the winter flounder season per federal and state regulations.  If permits are secured in a more timely manner, Avalon will be able to conduct more dredging before the winter flounder season begins on January 1st.

Additionally, work has begun again after the busy summer season to offload the remaining materials from the Graven’s Island site adjacent to Avalon Boulevard.  Please exercise caution while driving while trucks continue to offload that site.  On Wednesday, September 10th, the Avalon Borough Council approved a change order to permit the final offload of materials.

The Borough of Avalon will anticipates more frequent updates on the progress of our permit applications, advertisement of bids, contract award, and Notice to Proceed in the coming weeks.

 

June 23, 2014–Detailed map that shows project area for Avalon; please refer to color code on map scale

Avalon Dredging Map June 2014

June 21, 2014–Power Point presentation made during the public meeting (open as a PDF)

June 21 2014 Dredging Final Version

June 16, 2014–Announcement of meeting with property owners/details about the project

Avalon Holds Public Meeting on Dredging JUNE 2014

Dredging Project Scope of work 2014