New Bedford awards harbour dredging bid

Project Updates – June 16, 2008

A contract has been awarded to the low bidder for a US$1.45 million dredging project in New Bedford Harbour to improve navigation and commercial operations along the waterfront and remove pollution.

Burnham Associates Inc in Salem was selected for the work that will take place north of Popes Island.

Local press sources said a second bidder, Cashman Dredging & Marine Contracting Co of Quincy, submitted a bid of US$1.79 million.

Harbour Development Commission Executive Director Kristin Decas said Burnham is expected to start the dredging project in a matter of days and have the first of three phases completed within a month.

Additional phases of the dredging will be put out for bid later this year; the final phase is slated to be completed by the end of December. The complete project is expected to cost about US$7 million.