The US Army Corps of Engineers’ (USACE) St Paul District has taken a significant step forward in channel maintenance within the Mississippi River, awarding a contract worth $31.7 million to LS Marine of Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota, for mechanical dredging operations.
This endeavor, aimed at sustaining the long-term navigability of the Upper Mississippi River System’s nine-foot navigation channel, underscores the importance of ongoing dredging efforts to ensure safe and efficient waterway transit.
Dredging activities will encompass various segments of the Upper Mississippi River, the Minnesota River, the St Croix River, and the Black River within the St Paul District, with the possibility of extending to the Rock Island District’s Upper Mississippi River.
The contract, with a minimum guarantee of $1.25 million for two mechanical dredging plants until the end of the 2024 navigation season, grants the USACE the flexibility to exercise additional work options through 2029. This extended commitment to maintenance dredging underscores the agency’s dedication to upholding critical waterway infrastructure.
With plant mobilization expected in the coming weeks, the commencement of dredging operations signals a proactive approach to channel maintenance, ensuring uninterrupted access for commercial and recreational vessels navigating the Mississippi River and its tributaries.
By investing in dredging initiatives, the USACE reaffirms its commitment to safeguarding vital waterway infrastructure, thereby facilitating safe and efficient maritime transportation for years to come.