The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is dredging 14 miles of the Shrewsbury and Navesink rivers to make them easier to navigate. “We’re making good progress and will be continuing that likely over the next several weeks…” said project manager Alex Gregery of the Corps.

The first phase of the $26 million project began Friday. The sand that’s dug up in the first and second phases will be mostly used for beach replenishment projects nearby.

U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone (D-6th), said, “The reason that we did this project is because so many boaters were complaining to us over the last couple of years about … the inability to get in and out of the Shrewsbury and Navesink rivers.”

David Miller, past commodore of Long Branch Ice Boat & Yacht Club, said boats have been at risk of running aground.