NEW YORK – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in partnership with The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey are improving the main shipping channels in the Port by deepening them to a depth of 50 feet, allowing more efficient access to the world’s largest oceangoing container ships.
Deepening the Arthur Kill Channel to 50 feet between Elizabeth, NJ and the New York Container Terminal will involve drilling and underwater blasting beginning in early July 2013 for approximately 11 months. This is necessary to remove underlying bedrock from the floor of the Arthur Kill Channel utilizing precision controlled underwater staggered detonations to fracture the rock so it can be dredged.
The Army Corps will conduct information sessions at two venues on two separate dates in Elizabeth NJ to discuss the Arthur Kill Channel deepening contract. Elizabeth, NJ residents and business owners within the 1,500 foot precautionary blast zone have been notified in writing by the contractor and are encouraged to attend.
The session will be interactive with opportunities to ask questions and obtain information directly from Army Corps representatives, its contractors and consultants about:
• The purpose and description of overall Harbor Deepening Project.
• Why drilling and blasting is imperative and necessary for the safety of ship navigation and how it’s being accomplished.
• Voluntary residential Property Inspection Program.
• Independent noise and vibration compliance monitoring.
DATES/LOCATIONS/TIMES:
Wednesday, July 3, 2013
Allstar
153 3rd Street
Elizabeth, NJ
6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Tuesday, July 9, 2013
Belcher Ogden Mansion
1046 East Jersey Street
Elizabeth, NJ
6 to 7 p.m.
Notes:
· The sessions are NOT Public Hearings
· The contract area in the Arthur Kill Channel is well beyond any residential communities of Staten Island.
· While drilling and dredging may be performed at any time, blasting operations will only occur only during daylight hours (2 hours after sunrise and 1 hour before sunset).
· Blasting will not be performed before 9 a.m. or after 6 p.m. or on Sundays / Federal Holidays. Residents are encouraged to dial the hotline number at (201) 339‐6470 for any concerns.
· Frequently Asked Questions and noise and vibration reports are posted on the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers New York District website www.nan.usace.army.mil
(Menu: Navigation - New York & New Jersey Harbor - Frequently Asked Questions).
The Port of New York and New Jersey is the largest port on the East Coast, providing over 269,900 direct and indirect jobs in port related activities. Through the Port’s four major container terminals waterborne cargo moves to all parts of the United States and throughout the world. The overall Harbor Deepening Project involves deepening nearly 38 miles of shipping channels between New York and New Jersey to bring them to a safe depth of 50 feet. The 50 foot deepening project is scheduled for completion in 2014.
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