Posted on August 28, 2026
The New Jersey Department of Transportation’s contractor has completed dredging the Beach Haven West Channel as part of an $8.4 million project to improve navigation in the bay waters around the Island region.
The project covers the Beach Haven West Complex in Eagleswood, Harvey Cedars, Long Beach Township and Stafford Township. The pipeline was moved to the Mill Creek Channel last week with work expected to last several days there, according to an Aug. 21 update by state transportation officials on social media.
The project is slated to restore Harvey Cedars, Harvey Cedars 2, Margos, Beach Haven West Mill Creek, Cedar Run and Little Egg channels to their authorized depths, which vary from 5 feet to 8 feet at mean low water, according to the DOT.
Dredging of the channels is to ensure safe navigation and access to channels in Barnegat Bay, state transportation officials said.
Materials removed from the channels will be moved by pipeline and deposited in Dredged Hole 61 – no exceptions. The pipeline will be visibly marked with buoys and lights to protect navigation and keep traffic moving, the DOT said.
“The pipeline is marked with lit pencil buoys, orange Norwegian buoys and channel marker crossing buoys. There are 3 marked crossings with red and green buoys for safe transfer over the pipeline,” according to the DOT.
Officials warned that pipelines may be difficult to see and could extend beyond marked channels.
Boaters and personal watercraft operators are urged to stay clear of floating equipment and use extreme caution while traveling through the construction zone. Vessels should operate at slow, no-wake speeds in the area. Mariners who need to contact dredging equipment should use marine radio Channel 63.
“Channel closures are not anticipated; however, if conditions require them, closures will be promptly communicated through the Local Notice to Mariners and via social media,” the DOT said in a July 31 statement on the project. H&L Construction, the state agency’s contractor for the work, began hydraulic dredging operations in July.
Dredging of the channels is to ensure safe navigation and access to channels in Barnegat Bay. Work is anticipated to continue 24 hours a day, seven days a week until the project is completed, according to the DOT.
