The Indiana Harbor and Ship Canal dredging is finally planned to commence next summer. Approximately 4.6 million cubic yards of sediment are intended to be removed from the harbor by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency says that 362 toxic and cancer-causing substances are present in the waterway.
Researchers keep undertaking their study to measure and check the toxic chemical levels.
During the annual two to six months of dredging operations, around 400,000 cubic yards of sediment will be displaced, says Natalie Mills, Army Corps project manager. The dredged material will be transported to the restricted disposal facility, which covers 186 acres of a former Sinclair Oil refinery.
Dredging works have not been conducted since 1972. Maintenance dredging is planned to be utilized during 25 years of the $150 million worth project, with 1.8 million cubic yards of sediment initially set to be removed.
Real-time air monitoring around the disposal site will be maintained by the Army Corps. The same is planned for the dock where sediment will be transferred from barges into the 21-foot-tall confinement facility.
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Dredging Today Staff, December 6, 2011;