Standing at the Great Sodus Bay Harbor with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) members and Sodus Bay residents, marina and business owners, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer on Monday revealed that the Buffalo Army Corps will begin the major $20 million reconstruction of the deteriorating Sodus Bay East Breakwall this summer. Schumer secured the $20 million last year, which is the single largest federal infrastructure investment in Sodus Bay.
USACE’s project will repair the full 1,653-foot length of the breakwater over two construction seasons. Building on top of the original timber crib and concrete cap structure, construction will return the breakwater to its original height, seven feet above the lowest water level.
The work package was put out for proposals on May 3. A contract award is scheduled for June/July. Construction is targeted to begin in August with completion by fall 2025.
The work package is open to a pool of seven qualified marine contractors under a Multiple Award Task Order Contract. With a significant influx of marine work across the Great Lakes, the MATOC gives the Corps of Engineers the ability to quickly solicit and award marine construction projects. The pool of potential contractors for this project includes large businesses, as well as veteran-owned, service-disabled veteran-owned, disadvantaged, and HubZone-certified small businesses.
Great Sodus Bay’s breakwaters provide safe navigation and protection from erosion along New York’s shoreline. With more than six marinas and 1,000 slips available for rent, recreational activities facilitated by the harbor support $24.7 million in economic output, 148 jobs, and $8.9 million in labor income to the nation.
U.S Senator Charles Schumer said, “I was proud to deliver the $20 million needed to fix the aging Great Sodus Bay breakwater last year to kickstart repairs and now we can finally say, ‘ready, set, start building!’ The Great Sodus Bay East Breakwater is vital to protecting this Lake Ontario community from violent floods, but for years has been in a state of disrepair, threatening residents’ safety and livelihood. Today, we are turning a corner and ready to move full steam to embark on these much-needed upgrades.”
“The village of Sodus Point appreciates the perseverance of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Buffalo District in requesting the monies to repair the east breakwater for the last several years. We also appreciate their prompt attention to the project once funds became available. Senator Schumer and his staff pushed hard for the money on our bahalf. Thank you, Senator Schumer. The east breakwater protects not only several businesses and residents in the village, it also protects the integrity of Great Sodus Bay itself, “said Village of Sodus Point Mayor Dave McDowell.
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