OVER 670,000 cubic metres of mud, silt and debris have been removed from the Hunts Bay estuary under the Government's $1.7 billion maintenance dredging operation which started in July.
The project is aimed at reducing the level of siltation in the Kingston Harbour by clearing the estuary to accommodate sediment coming from the Rio Cobre River, Sandy Gully, Duhaney River and Jew Gully.
Also, the measure is expected to significantly reduce the possibility of flooding in the area.
John Matalon, project manager of WIHCONIL Infrastructure Ltd., the contractors employed to do the dredging, said the material excavated represents about 37 per cent of the 2.2 million cubic metres of material to be removed.
The excavated sludge, which is removed by a 'cutter suction dredge', is pumped through a floating PVC pipeline to a containment site located at Soapberry Lands in St. Catherine.
The containment area, which is constructed on wetlands near the dredging site, is approximately 114 hectares. The sludge is collected and allowed to settle there, and the excess water re-channelled into the Rio Cobre.
The dredging programme is being managed by the Urban Development Corporation (UDC) on behalf of the Ministry of Transport and Works.
