NEPTUNE TOWNSHIP, NJ – The New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) announced they will progress the Shark River channels dredging beginning today, marking a significant milestone in the efforts championed by the Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders and a coalition of other state and local officials.

The project, which began in earnest last summer, centered on dredging 102,000 cubic yards of sediment from the navigable channels of the Shark River. Equipment is expected to be mobilized this week with the dredging slated to resume after Labor Day. This work is a continuation of the $7.6 million effort aimed at bringing portions of the Shark River Channel and the Shark River Channel Spur to full depth and width improving conditions for both commercial and recreational boaters in the area.

“I couldn’t be more pleased that work has resumed on this crucial project for the region,” said Freeholder Thomas A. Arnone, liaison to the Public Works and Engineering department and himself a former mayor and councilman from Neptune City. “For nearly two decades I have fought to bring this work to fruition and after several stops and starts. These waterways are of paramount importance to all the municipalities who share borders with the Shark River for businesses, tourism, and recreational usages alike. I am grateful for the support my fellow Freeholders have shown in respect to progressing these efforts.”

In addition to Monmouth County and the state, the municipalities of Neptune City, Neptune Township, Wall Township, and Belmar all contributed to the financial commitments for the project.

According to NJDOT, the project is intended to run on a 12-hour/6-day a week schedule (Monday through Saturday) from September through November and dredging must be completed by December 31^st. Dewatering activities will continue into spring 2018. Intermittent channel closures are anticipated during this time.

The project will use a portion of Seaview Island that was permitted as part of the original project plan as a dewatering area. Once the dredged material is dry enough, it will be trucked to the Monmouth County Reclamation Center to be utilized as daily cover.

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