The US Army Corps of Engineers, Baltimore District, has awarded a US$1.4 million contract for the maintenance dredging of Knapps Narrows Federal Navigation Channel, near Tilghman Island.
Indiana-based Southwind Construction will remove 76,500 cubic metres of material from the channel to restore it to its authorised depth of 2.7 metres (MLLW), plus 0.6 metre of allowable overdepth, and a width of 22.8 metres.
Senator Chris Van Hollen said the project was vital to Maryland's economy and to ensure efficient movement among the mouths of Harris Creek, Choptank River and Eastern Bay, and beyond Chesapeake Bay, for commercial and recreational users.
The work, which is expected to begin this winter and be finished in the spring, will ensure continued safe navigation along the federal channel.
