Dredging of several channels of the Barnegat Bay Inlet gets under way in October, under plans disclosed this week by the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT).

Vin Ebenau, Townsquare Media
Vin Ebenau, Townsquare Media
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Channels in Forked River and Barnegat Bay are targeted in the larger, $8,700,000 project. The new phase is being carried on simultaneously with dredging in Monmouth's Navesink River channels, and follows dredging of nearby channels that wrapped up in late August. NJDOT originally announced the entire comprehensive project in March 2014.

Double Creek Mainland, Double Creek Inlet, High Bar Harbor and Barnegat Light Stake will be scooped to improve navigability on a 24/7 schedule through the end of December.

Great Lakes Dredge and Dock Col, LLC, is placing submerged and floating pipelines during daylight hours. The conduits will funnel sediment to the Oyster Creek Confined Disposal Facility (CDF), and sand to the Barnegat Beach near Barnegat Lightnouse State Park.

NJDOT officials say that many channels accumulated sand and silt during and after Superstorm Sandy, adding that the condition forced the closure of Double Creek Inlet Channel.

Transportation officials say that they don't anticipate channel closures, but boaters can expect limited passage where dredges are operating and where pipelines are placed. State Aids to Navigation (ATON) components will be removed when, and where, necessary, during dredging.

NJDOT urges mariners to remain alert for pipelines, buoys, dredges and other gear, and to avoid equipment connected to the project, even when it is idle. No wake speed should be observed in active work zones.

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