Corps of Engineers completes two-year dredging project in Rochester Harbor

Published June 16, 2017
Photo shows dredging operations taking place in the Genessee River, as part of the Rochester Harbor dredging project that culimated in June 2017.

Photo shows dredging operations taking place in the Genessee River, as part of the Rochester Harbor dredging project that culimated in June 2017.

Buffalo, NY – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Buffalo District completed a two-year, $1.7 million dredging project in Rochester Harbor Wednesday, having removed a total of 390,000 cubic yards of sediment material to allow for safer passage for commercial and recreational traffic.  

“Dredging the Rochester Harbor has been an important part of my efforts to improve our region’s transportation infrastructure for years. Our harbor is critical to our local economy, importing $10 million worth of goods annually and helping drive job creation and construction projects across our region. If we didn’t maintain this harbor, our businesses that count on it would run the risk of closing, threatening jobs and the livelihoods of families in our community. That’s why I will continue fighting hard to secure the funding we need to dredge our port,” said Congresswoman Louise Slaughter.

The contract was awarded to Luedtke Engineering Company of Frankfort, MI and dredging began on May 17, 2016.

"We are grateful to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for the work that they've done to make our waterways safer for both recreational and commercial traffic," said Mayor Lovely Warren. "Ensuring the safety of our citizens, on both land and water, is a critical component of our efforts to provide more jobs, safer and more vibrant neighborhoods and better educational options to our residents."

“Completion of this project opens the harbor to greater commercial traffic and provides safer navigation for commercial and recreational vessels”, said Lt. Col. Adam Czekanski, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Buffalo District commander. “We are grateful for the advocacy of Congresswoman Slaughter and Mayor Warren, as well as other state and local partners, who have worked hard to secure funding for the effort. We look forward to assisting the community with any future projects to improve harbor infrastructure.”

The frequency of dredging in Rochester is subject to the availability of funds and when sufficient funding is in place, the Corps of Engineers schedules dredging every other year in order to maintain federally authorized depths. The Genesee River channel has an authorized depth of 23 feet at the entrance and 21 feet throughout the channel.


Contact
Dr. Michael D. Izard-Carroll
716-879-4150
716-368-2060 (cell)
Michael.D.Izard-Carroll@usace.army.mil
1776 Niagara St. Buffalo, NY 14207-3199

Release no. 17-013