More harbor dredging projects planned

DETROIT – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Detroit District, awards a contract for dredging two Lake Superior harbors in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.
The $283,449 contract was awarded to Great Lakes Dock & Materials, LLC, of Muskegon, Mich., to dredge Big Bay Harbor, Big Bay, Mich., and Lac La Belle Harbor, near Copper Harbor on the Keweenaw Peninsula.

The contractor will dredge 11,000 cubic yards of material from Lac La Belle Harbor, last dredged in 1994; and 11,000 yards from Big Bay Harbor, last dredged in 2008.The dredged materials will be placed near the shoreline for beach nourishment. The dredging is expected to begin in mid-October and be complete by mid-November.

“These two Harbors of Refuge offer mariners shelter from rough seas on Lake Superior, and serve recreational boaters whose activities support local commerce,” said Lt. Col. Robert Ells, district engineer. “The Corps is pleased to provide support for these dredging projects, keeping two important shallow draft harbors open for business.”
Last spring, the state committed $5.9 million to the Corps for dredging seven shallow draft recreational harbors.

This 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, contact Tom Black in USACE Public Affairs, 313-226-6750 or Mollie Mahoney, project manager, 313-226-2033.