WILDWOOD – New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) officials are reminding boaters the Wildwood Channel Complex dredging project is underway in Wildwood, North Wildwood, West Wildwood, and Middle Township, Cape May County.
The $9.7 million project will restore channels to a safe navigable depth. NJDOT’s contractor, Mobile Dredging & Video Pipe Inc., will dredge fine sand and silt from Beach Creek 1, Beach Creek 2, Ottens Canal Channel, Ottens Canal Lagoon Channel, Ottens Harbor Channel, Post Creek, and West Wildwood Channel. The project will restore safe navigation by dredging the channels to their appropriate depths, between 5.5 and 12.5 feet. The public is advised to use caution when boating in the area.
Dredging operations began in late-October and are expected to be completed by April 2024. Work will be conducted on a 24-hour/7-days-a-week schedule. The area will remain closed through the duration of the project.
All material removed from the channels will be transported via pipeline and discharged into geotextile bags at several permitted sites. The pipeline will be clearly marked with buoys and lights for safe navigation. Channel closures are expected and will be communicated through the Local Notice to Mariners. State Aids to Navigation (ATON) will be removed as necessary for the duration of the project. Dredged material will be transported to a permitted beneficial use site via truck once sufficiently dewatered.
The public is advised to be aware of and stay alert for the pipeline, buoys, dredges, and other maritime construction equipment during the project. NJDOT asks that no one enter the construction areas (including the dewatering sites) nor approach project-related equipment (including dredges). Boaters should proceed through dredging and construction zones with caution and can contact the dredge for meeting/passing arrangements on Channel 13 or Channel 72. No wake speed should be observed in active work zones.
Please contact the NJDOT Community Relations Office via phone at 609-963-1982 or via email at dot-ccr.communityrelations@dot.nj.gov with any project related questions. For NJDOT news follow us on X (Twitter) @NewJerseyDOT or on the NJDOT Facebook page.
