Dredging on the Dania Cutoff Canal that will boost the economy of Broward and Palm Beach counties by $18 million a year is scheduled to begin next month.
Following almost 15 years of planning and permitting, the $6.5 million yearlong project will deepen the canal’s water from 10 feet to 17 thus megayachts will be enabled to reach inland shipyards. Repair or maintenance costs on such yachts usually range from $2 million to $10 million, said David Roach, director of the Florida Inland Navigation District, the major funder for the project.
The dredging will be undertaken from Port Everglades to just east of the U.S. Route 1 bridge. This is the first phase of an overall dredging project for waterways in Broward and Palm Beach counties. The second phase that will last for about two years will involve dredging the Intracoastal Waterway from Port Everglades to the Las Olas Boulevard Bridge.
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Dredging Today Staff, March 20, 2012; Image: flsafeboating