DESCRIPTION (PROJECT AREA AND PURPOSE): Currently, existing federal anchorages in the New York and New Jersey Harbor are insufficient in meeting the variety of functions (e.g., security and U.S. Coast Guard inspections, lightering, bunkering/refueling, waiting areas, and emergency “bailout” areas) they are used for as part of normal harbor operations, which reduces vessel safety and cargo transportation efficiency. The Corps’ Anchorages study evaluated many reasonable project alternatives related to the improvement of the anchorage(s) associated with the New York and New Jersey Harbor Federal Navigation 50-foot Project. The study considered changed conditions and/or assumptions since the original feasibility study was completed in 2000. The Anchorage study addressed the need for anchorage area(s) capable of safely accommodating the vessels navigating the anchorages at present and reasonably projected to be navigating them in the future.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has studied and recommended in April 2020 the deepening of part of the federal navigation anchorages in the Port of New York and New Jersey.
In addition to the anchorages project, the Corps will also be performing a minor amount of work in the Arthur Kill channel in the vicinity of the old Goethals Bridge. The purpose of the project is to eliminate the restrictions in the channel and remove any navigational hazards, as well as deepen the channel to the authorized depth in this area. When the old bridge was replaced, the foundations for the dolphins on the eastern abutment were not removed, and they currently present a hazard to navigation and constrict the channel.
PROJECT AUTHORIZATION: The anchorages project is authorized under Section 401(1) of the Water Resources Development Act of 2020, passed into law on December 27, 2020. The Arthur Kill Channel project was authorized by the WRDA 1986, Section 202(b), and amended by the WRDA 1992, Section 329, the WRDA 1996, Section 301(b)(11), and the WRDA 1999, Section 338.
RECOMMENDED PLAN: The recommended plan is to expand and deepen only the Gravesend Anchorage to accommodate a 3,600 foot diameter circle which will provide sufficient anchorage and turning radius for a 1,200 long container vessel. This is also the least environmentally impacting alternative considered, with the least dredging volume (approximately 950,000 cubic yards) and smallest area needed to be deepened out of all anchorage alternatives considered.
The Arthur Kill channel project is anticipated to produce approximately 14,000 cubic yards of dredged material and debris. Due to the heavy industrial use of this are and the nearby Chemical Control Corporation Superfund site, it is assumed that all material will be disposed up at upland facilities.
The estimated total cost for designing and constructing both projects is estimated at $35,857,000 at 2025 price levels with a benefit to cost ratio of 1.4 at a discount rate of 2.75%. The fiscal year 2022 Omnibus Appropriations Act funded this project $1,125,000 to perform the preconstruction, engineering and design (PED) phase work. The PED phase was initiated on May 22, 2023 with the execution of the design agreement with The Port Authority of New York & New Jersey, the non-federal project sponsor. The PED phase work is cost-shared at 75% federal and 25% non-Federal and expected to be performed over a period of approximately 30 months, completing in December of 2025. The PED phase work will make the project ready for construction, which will utilize carry-over federal construction funding from the prior New York & New Jersey Harbor Deepening 50 ft. Navigation Project. Construction is anticipated to start approximately 12 months after PED phase completes, notwithstanding any environmental constraints.
AUTHORIZED PROJECT COST (updated to 2025 price levels):
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Anchorages Project
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Arthur Kill Project
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Estimated Federal Cost
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$25,592,000
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$1,510,000
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Estimated Non-Federal Cost
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$8,530,000
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$225,000
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Totals
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$34,122,000
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$1,735,000
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CONTACT:
Evan Nelson
Project Manager
P: (917) 790-8350
Email: evan.m.nelson@usace.army.mil
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New York District
26 Federal Plaza
New York, NY 10278
CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS: NY-08 and NY-11