Market Slip Dredging

Depth survey, feasibility, tender, permits and a low-tide construction method that built a road into the slip, dredged from it, then removed it.

Slips within Saint John Harbour need dredging every several years. Market Slip had last been dredged in 2004, and by 2019 natural siltation had built up to the point where maintenance dredging was required to accommodate visiting recreational vessels and pleasure craft.

From question to tender

We began by surveying existing depths within the slip, then prepared a cost estimate to confirm the project was practical. Once it was deemed feasible, we prepared a tender package for contractors to bid and secured the environmental permits needed to do the work.

A road instead of a barge

Rather than dredge from a barge, the contractor built a road out into the slip that heavy equipment could work from during low tides. About 3,000 cubic metres of material was removed and placed in a lined disposal cell because of low-level contamination. Once design depths were reached, the roadway was removed, leaving a deepened waterway. Dredging was completed in spring 2020 under our project management.