Schuylkill Dredging Project Gets $5 Million From Federal Infrastructure Bill
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Plans are moving forward to clean out the Schuylkill River. It's all thanks to a big funding boost from that infrastructure bill President Joe Biden signed into law last month.
"A huge adrenaline shot into this project," Bonnie Mueller, of the Schuylkill Navy of Philadelphia, said.
The shot the project needed was funding.
The dredging project along the Schuylkill River will begin once again.
The announcement was made late Friday night by Senator Bob Casey. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers received $5 million for the project.
The issue is boats and oars of rowing clubs can run aground if the water isn't deep enough. There was also concern that if this project isn't done, the city could lose its famous regattas.
"It's not just the rowing community," Mueller said. "The Schuylkill River is an incredible asset in the middle of Fairmount Park."
Mueller says the last major dredging project was 50 years ago. Since then, major storms have sent debris downstream.
The river was to be dredged in 2020, but a contract between the Army Corps of Engineers and contractor Atlantic Subsea was terminated mid-project.
The company said at the time they encountered larger objects than expected and couldn't complete the work. With a new contractor, work is expected to continue in July.
"Everybody understands the iconic nature of our venue," Mueller said.
The Delaware River is getting funding as well. Twenty-five million dollars was appropriated to deepen the river down by the ports.
