Upper Navesink River Channel Dredging Will Begin In Early December

MIDDLETOWN, NJ — The Upper Navesink River channel dredging project is scheduled to begin in early December, the NJ Dept. of Transportation announced this week.

The dredging will take place in Middletown.

The $5.2-million project will restore the Navesink River to a safe navigable depth. The DOT's contractor, Mobile Dredging & Video Pipe Inc., will dredge fine sand and silt from the river in Middletown. The project will restore the river depth to between four and six feet, which the DOT says are safe levels for boating.

Dredging operations are scheduled to begin in early December and are expected to be completed in January 2025. Work will be conducted during daylight hours seven days a week. That part of the Navesink is expected to remain open through the duration of the project.

The public is advised to use caution when boating in the area.

All material removed from the channels will be transported via pipeline and discharged into belt filter presses at the Swimming River Park. The pipeline will be clearly marked with buoys and lights for safe navigation. Channel closures are not expected.

Boaters are advised to stay alert for the pipeline, buoys, dredge and other maritime construction equipment during the project. NJDOT asks that no one enter the construction areas nor approach project-related equipment (including dredges). Boaters should proceed through dredging and construction zones with caution and can contact the dredge for meeting/passing arrangements on Channel 13 or Channel 72. No wake speed should be observed in active work zones.