Dredge project set to begin

Barring any delays or weather-related problems, the Hernando County beach dredge project could be finished by February 2010.

That's according to County Engineer Charles Mixson, who said the entire project is coming in at $7.5 million, about $1.5 million under budget.

But before the actual dredging begins, there will be several weeks of prep work.

For example, Mixson said it should take four to six weeks to start moving the rocks in the channel.

The seagrass removal should take four to six weeks.

It could be six to eight weeks before the dredge gets in, he said.

Once completed, Mixson said the channel will be 60 feet wide at the bottom and six feet deep at mean low tide.

The channel will be straightened and extend out about three miles to Watts Tower, he said.

There are no plans to close the waterway during construction.

The aim is to make the channel safer and more accessible to pleasure and commercial boaters.

The dredge project, ongoing since 1994, has faced several delays as environmental concerns and costs piled up.