U-S Army Corps of Engineers gives funds to dredge St. Joseph Harbor

ST. JOSEPH. Mich. -- The U-S Army Corps of Engineers is providing funds to help dredge the St. Joseph Harbor.

The harbor is not only essential to water travel but it might also affect road travel, soon.

Officials weren’t originally going to dredge the river this year but low lake levels are stopping freighters carrying gravel and cement for road construction from getting through.

Michigan Congressman Fred Upton says if the river doesn't get dredged, it will back up construction on the Indiana toll road along with the U-S 31, 94 and 96 connection project, set to be finished next year.

Upton Says "We can't miss a construction season we just can’t. So, it's imperative that the dredging start right away so these lake carriers can come in, build these giant piles of sand and gravel that can then get to the construction sites not only in Michigan but Indiana too."

The army corps is providing 500-thousand dollars in emergency funds to help dredge the harbor which Upton hopes will begin sometime in the coming weeks.