District uses Recovery Act funds to dredge critical shoaling on James River

Posted August 27, 2009
By Jerry Rogers
Norfolk District Public Affairs

8/27/2009 - NORFOLK, Va. — Maintenance dredging of four of the nine critical shoals on the James River began July 14 under a $2.990 million contract awarded by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Norfolk District. Project funding is part of the approximately $27 million that the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 designated for Norfolk District's civil works projects throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Cottrell Contracting of Chesapeake, Va., under an Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) task order, is dredging the James River Federal Navigation Channel to ensure deep-draft vessels can navigate the river in a safe and unrestricted manner. Work is set for completion in February 2010.

The Cottrell IDIQ is a 3-year services contract to perform periodic maintenance dredging of the James River. The federal government uses an IDIQ contract when it cannot predetermine, above a specified minimum, the precise quantities of services required during the contract period. The IDIQ contract also allows for streamlining of the time it takes to get a dredge to remove a critical shoal, as task orders are issued without the usual lengthy process of contract preparation and procurement.

The James River is the nation's oldest transportation route for commerce. The navigation project provides approximately 85 miles of deep-draft channels, maintained at a depth of 25 feet from Hampton Roads to Richmond, Va. More than five million tons of cargo has been moved annually on the James River in the last five years.

Project Manager Stephen J. Powell is using Recovery Act funds to have Cottrell dredge the most critical of the nine shoals on the James River.

"The project is comprised of nine major shoals, which require dredging from twice annually to less than once every decade," explained Powell. "Recent budget constraints have necessitated that the Corps dredge only the most critical shoals, sometimes requiring other shoaling to go unmaintained, which could one day lead to restrictions on deep-draft shipping along the river. A fully maintained navigation channel will ensure ships are able to move commerce in a safe, efficient and economical manner."

"The Recovery Act funds for civil works enables Norfolk District to complete these types of 'shovel ready' projects that will benefit our state and the nation for years to come," said Col. Andrew Backus, Norfolk District's commander.

President Barack Obama signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 into law on Feb. 17, 2009. It is an unprecedented effort to jumpstart our economy, create or save millions of jobs, and put a down payment on addressing long-neglected challenges so our country can thrive in the 21st century. With more than $14 million in contracts awarded, Norfolk District continues to use Recovery Act funds to meet current Administration initiatives, which will increase job opportunities and spur the recovery of our nation's economy.