Dredging Begins In Shrewsbury, Navesink Rivers This Week

HIGHLANDS, NJ — This week was the start of a major dredging project in the Shrewsbury and Navesink rivers.

The dredging started Tuesday, and it was announced by Congressman Frank Pallone (D-NJ6), who was in Highlands that day for the start of the project.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will dredge both the entrance of the Shrewsbury and Navesink rivers at Sandy Hook, as well as the Navesink River to Red Bank and the Shrewsbury River as far as the Branchport Avenue Bridge in Long Branch — a total of approximately 14 miles. This is the federal channel that covers most of the waterway boaters use.

The dredging project will take place in three phases:

The first phase includes dredging sand material at the mouth of the Shrewsbury River in Sandy Hook Bay to the Rt. 36 bridge. The second phase will include dredging the remaining sandy material down the Shrewsbury River into the Navesink River as far as the Oceanic Bridge. Sand will then be pumped onto portions of Monmouth Beach. The third phase includes dredging the rest of the federal channel inside the two rivers.

Congressman Pallone secured $26 million for maintenance dredging of the rivers in a federal spending bill signed by President Joe Biden last year.

“I’m proud to announce the start of the Shrewsbury and Navesink dredging project today," said Pallone Tuesday. "I’ve heard from so many people in the communities along the rivers and the boaters who use the channels regularly about the importance of this project."

"This project will ensure safe access to the Shrewsbury and Navesink rivers for recreational and commercial fishing and boating uses that are vital to the regional economy,” said NJ's DEP Commissioner Shawn LaTourette. “As an important additional element, the sand dredged to improve navigation will be used to nourish beaches in areas of need in Monmouth Beach."

Highlands Mayor Carolyn Broullon, Oceanport Mayor Jay Coffey and Sea Bright Mayor Brian Kelly were on hand Tuesday to announce the start of the dredging.