The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Mobile District recently provided an update on its Mobile Harbor project, a significant infrastructure upgrade aimed at enhancing navigational efficiency and accommodating larger vessels in Mobile, Ala.
The project involves deepening the channel from 45’-50’, extending from the Gulf of Mexico through Mobile Bay and into Mobile Harbor. Additionally, the southern portion of the Bay channel will be widened by 100’ for a three-mile stretch to allow for two-way vessel traffic. Two navigation bends are also being eased to facilitate safer and more efficient passage into Mobile Bay, USACE said.
The Mobile Harbor Project is divided into seven phases. To date, three phases have been completed, three are under active construction, and the final phase was awarded in late summer 2024. The project remains on schedule and within budget, USACE said, expecting the project to be completed by summer 2025.
To address the environmental impact of dredging operations, USACE said it’s working in close cooperation with federal agencies, including the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, to safeguard marine habitats and species. USACE also noted project contractors monitor turbidity levels daily, as stipulated by the Alabama Department of Environmental Management's 401 Water Quality Certification.
