The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Breakwall repairs complete, Corps says
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has completed repairs to Lorain harbor’s breakwall.
The work was finished Aug. 5, with Great Lakes Dock and Materials LLC of Muskegon, Mich., completing the $2.1 million contract. Breakwater repairs began in May, according to the Corps.
The project drew praise from Rep. Marcy Kaptur, D-Toledo, whose 9th House District includes Lorain.
“A breakwater is the first line of defense against the turbulent tides of Lake Erie for many of our lakefront communities,” Kaptur said. “As we face the reality of rising lake levels, diligence is required to ensure the safety and navigability of many harbors in the Great Lakes region.
“I appreciate the Army Corps of Engineers’ partnership and attention to this important investment for the city of Lorain and its commercial and recreational harbor users and look forward to future efforts that have a direct, substantive effect on our lakefront communities,” she said.
About 50 linear feet of the breakwater was repaired with a stone base and vertical sheet pile on top. Additionally, any of the remaining cracks were also repaired and solar powered lights were added across both sides of the entire breakwater.
A cell of the Lorain breakwater was removed in 2017 due to falling in disrepair.
“The Army Corps is continually looking for ways to work collaboratively with stakeholders on all of Lake Erie’s harbors,” said Russ Brandenburg, the Corps Buffalo District senior project manager.
“The Lorain Harbor repair is a perfect example of how our strong collaboration with the Port of Lorain has resulted in positive benefits through infrastructure improvements for Lake Erie and the public that use it.”