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Crews unload the granite blocks that will be used in Oswego harbor’s breakwall repair.

Port of Oswego Embarks on a $35 Million Breakwall Repair Project

More than 60 rail cars of granite blocks arrived recently to begin the west breakwall repair and reconstruction project at the Port of Oswego.

A total of more than 300 rail cars are expected to arrive at the port’s rail yard for the project this year, and in July, the construction company Dean Marine & Excavating, Inc of Michigan will begin placing these blocks in the breakwall.

“The project could not be completed without the resources the Port of Oswego brings to bear,” said William Scriber, executive director and CEO, Port of Oswego Authority (POA). “Our rail engine and rail yards ensure that project logistics are covered. Over the next two years, we estimate that more than 780 rail cars with stone quarried and shipped from Vermont will be necessary to make the repairs. The largest stones required are 12-14 tons each. In addition, we have the capacity to store these materials at our Fitz storage area, as well as other locations on our property.”

The $35 million project, under the direction of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, will extend into 2025, and will repair the major portion of the harbor breakwall— including repairs to the foundation of Oswego’s iconic West Pierhead Lighthouse. The port requested and received a member item—earmarked federal funding—with the assistance of U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to make the critical repairs.

“Tremendous damage was done to the shoreline of the port and the city of Oswego in 2017 and 2019. This project will not only repair the damage and strengthen our breakwall, but it will also mean an influx of workers that positively benefits our local economy. These workers stay local, eat local and buy local,” said Scriber.