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Repairs on Oswego Harbor breakwater, lighthouse foundation set for this summer

The Buffalo district of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) has awarded a nearly $5 million contract to a Michigan firm for repair work on the Oswego Harbor west arrowhead breakwater and the foundation of the Oswego West Pierhead Lighthouse. (PHOTO CREDIT: AVERY SCHNEIDER USACE BUFFALO FLICKR)

OSWEGO, N.Y. — Construction is scheduled to begin this summer on a project to conduct repair work on the Oswego Harbor west arrowhead breakwater and the foundation of the Oswego West Pierhead Lighthouse. Dean Marine & Excavating Inc. of Michigan will do the repair work, which should finish by the fall. The Buffalo district of […]

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Dean Marine & Excavating Inc. of Michigan will do the repair work, which should finish by the fall.

The Buffalo district of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) on June 2 awarded the $4.75 million contract, the USACE said in a June 7 announcement.

The breakwater and lighthouse foundation have been “significantly damaged” by storms, wave action, and deterioration for more than 90 years, USACE said. Repairs will “ensure continued safe navigation” for commercial and recreational vessels between Lake Ontario and the rest of the Great Lakes.

During construction, the harbor’s federal navigation channel will remain open. However, the contractor’s equipment will be in a portion of the channel to complete repairs. USACE encourages commercial and recreational vessel operators to “proceed with caution” when entering and exiting the federal navigation channel.

“The repairs to the breakwater and lighthouse foundations are essential to ensuring safe navigation of Oswego Harbor well into the future,” Lt. Col. Eli Adams, commander of the Buffalo district, said. “It is very rewarding to work with our partners, including the Port Authority, on a project which will contribute significantly to the commerce and recreation of Oswego and the region.”

The project also has the support of U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer (D–N.Y.), U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D–N.Y.) and U.S. Representative John Katko (R–Camillus), per the USACE.

USACE previously completed repairs to 1,100 feet of the west arrowhead breakwater’s lake side in 2018 and 2019.

Waterborne transportation facilitated by the harbor supports $4.3 million in business revenue; 20 direct, indirect, and induced jobs; and $1.4 million in labor income to the transportation sector, per the USACE.

Eric Reinhardt