Mrvan cuts ribbon on expanded Indiana Harbor Confined Disposal Facility

U.S. Rep. Frank J. Mrvan, D-Highland, was joined by federal, state and local officials Monday to celebrate the end of a four-year project to expand the capacity of the Indiana Harbor Confined Disposal Facility.

Sediment regularly dredged from the Indiana Harbor and Ship Canal is stored in the facility to ensure contaminants from the harbor bottom are safely kept out of Northwest Indiana's air and water.

The expansion project doubled the facility's capacity to 4.8 million cubic yards — creating space for another 35 to 40 years of maintenance dredging of the federal harbor that handles millions of tons of cargo per year and produces an annual economic impact exceeding $20 million.

"Thank you to all the leaders in East Chicago and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for the successful completion of this project to enhance the efficiency and operations of the Indiana Harbor," Mrvan said.

"I appreciate that this impactful action will continue to allow all our workers and industry to utilize our essential waterways and thrive in a growing regional economy."

Col. Kenneth Rockwell, Chicago District commander of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, said the effect of raising the dikes at the confined disposal facility goes well beyond its economic impact.

"As a side benefit of dredging the contaminated sediments out of Indiana Harbor to ensure that it is able to continue functioning as a critical linchpin of trade and commerce and economic driver to the area, we are seeing environmental benefits from the removal and safe containment of these contaminants from the river," Rockwell said.

Mrvan earmarked $18.4 million in federal funds for the expansion of the facility in the 2022 Consolidated Appropriations Act; spending that was opposed by, among others, U.S. Sen. Mike Braun, the Republican nominee for Indiana governor.

Indiana Harbor dredging is set to resume after Labor Day. A public hearing on this year's dredging is scheduled for 6 p.m. July 20 at the East Chicago Waterways Management District office, 4444 Railroad Ave.