Lake Takanassee To Be Dredged This Month

By Christopher Sheldon

Monmouth County officials say they expect to begin dredging Long Branch's Lake Takanassee this month.

Phase 1 of the project will include dredging 13,500 cubic yards of sediment from the western portion of the lake from Norwood Avenue to Woodgate Avenue.

County Department of Public Works Director John Tobia said the work will be fast tracked and could be completed in six weeks or less. He said the work should begin in mid-October as long as the last required DEP permit is granted.

The dredged material will be taken to a temporary stockpile area in the city and will be dried and used for phase 2 of the project. The city will pay $155,000 for the transportation of the material to the stockpile area.

City Engineer Gerry Freda said phase two of the work will be a bank stabilization project for the eastern side of the lake between the train trestle and Ocean Avenue. The dredged material will be used to stabilize the bank.

Both phases of the project will cost the city $160,000, of which $152,000 will be bonded. The city also received a $250,000 open space grant to help pay for the work.

Freda said there are plans to dredge the larger portion of the lake, where the bank stabilization project will be taking place.  He said if the city and county would carry out the work if a similar open space grant is secured for the project.