The collapsing breakwall at the Port of Oswego is on its way to being saved.
US Sen. Chuck Schumer announced Wednesday that he has secured $300,000 to design and engineer a plan to repair the 100 year old breakwall. Schumer believes that the breakwall is in danger of collapsing. That would shut down the port, which has become a busy hub of shipping activity that generates an estimated $6 million in economic benefit to the region.
“For over a century the port has generated millions of dollars in revenue for the Central New York region and in these tough times we cannot afford to lose that type of economic activity,” Schumer said in a news release. Schumer visited the port earlier this year.
The money for engineering and design does not guarantee that money will be made available to rebuild the breakwall, but Schumer said he would fight to get it. The estimated cost of repair is about $4 million.
“The $300,000 funding allocation approved by Congress is a vital first step in the reconstruction process of the breakwater wall protecting Oswego Harbor,” said Executive Director of the Port of Oswego Jonathan Daniels. “We are confident that Oswego will receive the funding to commence the rehabilitation project.”
The Port of Oswego is the oldest freshwater port in the country, dating to the 1880’s.
The breakwall protects not only shipping, but recreational navigation as well, from waves which can top 12 feet on rough days.
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