The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers New England District is conducting a feasibility study and Environmental Impact Statement to examine navigation-improvements to the existing New Haven Harbor Federal Navigation project.
The Corps participation in this study is authorized by a resolution of the Senate Committee on the Environment and Public Works dated July 31, 2007. This study was initiated at the request of the New Haven Port Authority and the Connecticut State Port Authority. The study is being cost-shared 50-percent Federal and 50-percent non-Federal with the New Haven Port Authority.
The New Haven Harbor navigation project’s main ship channel, maneuvering area, and turning basin are authorized to a depth of -35 feet mean lower low water. The main ship channel is about 5 miles long extending from deep water in Long Island Sound to the terminals at the head of the harbor. The channel varies in width from 500 feet (outer-harbor) to 400 feet (inner-harbor), and widens to 800 feet along the terminals.
Deeper and wider channels, maneuvering area, and turning basin are needed to increase the navigation efficiency and safety of New Haven Harbor. To reach the terminals, larger ships must lighter outside the breakwaters and/or experience delays while waiting for favorable tide conditions, or both. Deeper and wider navigation features (main channel, maneuvering area, and turning basin) are needed to increase the navigation efficiency and safety of New Haven Harbor.
The feasibility study will identify, evaluate, and recommend to decision makers an appropriate, coordinated and workable solution to the navigation inefficiencies at New Haven Harbor. Alternatives will include analyzing various incremental channel depths and widths based upon need, as well as alternative dredging methodologies. In addition, the study will evaluate various dredged material disposal alternatives such as beneficial use (e.g., marsh creation, beach nourishment, historic disposal mound capping), nearshore placement, open water placement, and upland placement.
For more information, please contact the Project Manager, by e-mail or by calling (978) 318-8737
Created: 06 January 2017