A $2.95-million Sarnia Harbour dredging project should wrap up by years end.
Director of Economic Development and Corporate Planning Peter Hungerford says 38,000 cubic m of non-contaminated sediment is being removed and spread on 38,000 sq m of land just north of Telfer Rd. near Chris Hadfield Airport.
Spreading it near the city owned airport with Transport Canada's approval eliminates spending money to do so elsewhere.
"When the job is finished, we'll offer a navigational depth of between 8.4 m and 8.6 m," says Hungerford. "That will accommodate fully loaded ships access to the Cargill docks, any of our docks during the shipping season where fully loaded ships require immediate access for emergency repairs and then of course over the winter for winter berthage."
The funding of the North Slip, the Government Basin, the Sidney Smith Wharf and the Sarnia Harbour entrance is coming from Ottawa's $8.7-million divestiture fund given when the City took over operation of the Harbour in March of 2014.
Hungerford says the city is realizing up to $500,000 in annual revenue from the Harbour which is being set aside for future operation of the port.
