The Virgin Islands Port Authority will launch the Charlotte Amalie harbor dredging project on October 12, aiming to improve navigational access and increase controlling depths for larger vessels.
Contracted to Orion Marine Construction for up to $41.9 million, the marine works encompass the entrance channel, turning basin, and the West Indian Company berth pocket with completion scheduled within 365 days of commencement.
To prevent disruptions to maritime tourism, marine operations will be coordinated around scheduled cruise ship calls, with the port authority indicating that vessel traffic should remain unaffected.
Funding for the dredging initiative includes allocations of $17 million and $6 million approved by the Virgin Islands Legislature under Acts 8787 and 9068.
Work will take place across two phases, beginning with dredging non-beach quality sediment through March for dewatering at the Gordon A. Finch Molasses Pier before transport to a disused quarry site north of Henry E. Rohlsen Airport.
A second phase running from March through October will shift beach-quality material from the entrance channel to the Crown Bay Cargo Port for placement at the former Addelita Cancryn Junior High School grounds.
Preparations at the school site are being conducted under a separate $2,527,504 contract awarded to Custom Builders, following the completion of hazardous material abatement that began in December.
Structural demolition of several buildings on the property is largely complete, with the remaining clearance funded through a $2 million legislative allocation and port marine operating revenues ahead of a year-end conclusion.