Dredging for August 22-26.

Hi everyone!

This is my weekly update for August 22-26.

·        For the first part of the week, Dutra focused on loading the new piles from trucks at the Rhine Warf onto their pile driving barge.  This was a partial shipment of piles for the project with the rest of the piles being delivered in the near future.

·        For the remaining part of the week, Dutra replaced the piles from the slips on the Lido Peninsula side of the channel. They have one more pile to replace on that side, then on Monday, they’ll switch sides and start replacing piles on the Lafayette side, starting with Schock.  As you can see, this process goes fairly quick, so the direct impact to each property will be relatively short.

·        For this weekend, the pile driving barge will remain on the Lido Peninsula side of the channel therefore allowing plenty of vessel access for the restaurants.

·        At the same time that Dutra was pile driving, they resumed dredging in the Phase II & III center channel to keep the project moving. Remember: every day spent dredging in Phases II & III now will mean less days dredging at the end of the project.

·        Important:  Phase II boats must be removed by Tuesday, September 6 at 7:00 AM.  There will not be a grace period as there was for Phase I. This will help Dutra move the project along, which in turn relates to a shorter project. 

·        Please remember that if vessels are not removed, they may be towed by Vessel Assist at the owner’s expense.   I have been contacting each Phase II property owner individually, so I’m hoping this isn’t a problem. Please call me if you have any questions or concerns.

·        Many Phase I boaters are very anxious to return to their slips.  Rest assured that we are doing everything possible to get you back in your slips as soon as possible, but it’s important that you wait until we give you the final go-ahead.  We need to ensure the construction zone is safe and that the pile and related dock work is complete.  My guess is that we’ll start notifying folks mid to late next week.

·        Please see the attached figure describing this week’s progress.  I’ve also attached a few pictures. Of particular interest is the last picture which shows a stack of old piles (on the left) next to a stack of new piles (on the right).  Notice the difference in length.  We’ve designed the new piles to be effective in the now deeper water.

·        Interesting fact No. 4:  The pile driving barge is 210’ long by 50’ wide.

Once again, thanks for everyone’s patience!

Chris Miller

Harbor Resources Manager

( (949) 644-3043  * cmiller@newportbeachca.gov