Corps of Engineers awards contract for Buffalo Harbor Dredging

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Buffalo District
Published Aug. 16, 2019

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Buffalo District has awarded a $2.029 million contract to conduct dredging in Buffalo Harbor during summer 2020. 

"Regular dredging of the Buffalo Harbor is an important component of maintaining navigable waterways that facilitate the flow of commerce and the growing recreational interest in the water,” said Representative Brian Higgins. “This is funding we fight to include in the federal budget and work overseen by the professionals at the U.S. Army Corps Buffalo District that supports Western New York's vibrant water-connected economy."

The contract was awarded to Ryba Marine Construction Company, based in Cheboygan, Michigan on July 10, 2019. The contractor is anticipated to begin work in July 2020.

The current contract will allow for approximately 234,000 cubic yards to be dredged from Buffalo Harbor throughout the Buffalo River and the mouth of the ship canal. In order to maintain the navigation channel at least 140,000 cubic yards of material needs to be dredged every two years.  This contract award will allow federal dredging to occur for the first time since 2018.

“We are excited to award this contract to dredge right here in our home city of Buffalo,” said Lt. Col. Jason Toth, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Buffalo District Commander. “Buffalo Harbor is critical to the Buffalo economy. The Corps of Engineers is proud to help sustain the harbor’s navigation capabilities and contribute to the economy of our city.”

Buffalo Harbor is a deep draft commercial harbor that shipped and received 677 thousand tons of material in 2017, through its interconnectivity with 8 commercial ports. It generates approximately $60.6M in business revenue annually, and supports 513 direct, indirect, and induced jobs that produce over $30.7M per year in personal income for transportation-related industries.


Contact
Shaina R. Souder
716-879-4240
shaina.r.souder@usace.army.mil
1776 Niagara Street, Buffalo, NY 14207

Release no. 19-037