Pallone Announces Work to Begin on $2.88 Million Belford Dredging Project

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 2, 2015

WASHINGTON, DC — Today, Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) announced that the dredging of Shoal Harbor and Compton Creek in Belford, New Jersey will begin within the next week. The Army Corps of Engineers awarded the $2.88 million contract to M.E.R.I.T. Inc., a small business located in Newark, New Jersey. The project will be completed with federal funds from the Sandy relief package that Congressman Pallone fought for in Congress.

“Projects like this are vital to our Jersey shore economy,” said Congressman Pallone. “This dredging in Belford will bring much needed relief to local boaters and businesses that depend on these waterways being navigable, like the Belford Seafood Co-Op and the Belford Ferry. I am glad that the Army Corps of Engineers is undertaking these critical projects as we continue to recover from Superstorm Sandy.”

This contract provides $2,884,910.00 in federal funding to remove 160,000 cubic yards of sand from the Compton Creek and Shoal Harbor channels in order to maintain accessible waterways after Superstorm Sandy.

“So many local fishermen depend on these waterways being accessible. Dredging Compton Creek and Shoal Harbor will allow our boats to move in and out of these waters more easily, especially after so much excess material accumulated as a result of Superstorm Sandy,” said Roy Diehl, President of the Belford Seafood Co-Op. “I want to thank Congressman Pallone for working to secure the funds necessary to complete this important project.”