The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Philadelphia District shared an update regarding upcoming work along the Chesapeake & Delaware (C&D) Canal that will temporarily impact access to the Michael N. Castle trail system on the north side of the Canal and the access road off Cox Neck Road.   

USACE is conducting preparations for dredging the Delaware River federal channel. As part of this work, USACE’s contractor will lay a dredge pipe and erect a ramp across the trail near the southern end of the branch canal. This portion of the trail will be closed for several days while this occurs. Currently, the closure is estimated to take place in mid-April. Once the ramp is in place, the trail will be reopened for the duration of dredging operations. At the end of dredging operations (currently estimated to conclude in August 2026), the contractor will again close this portion of the trail to remove the ramp and pipe.  

Additionally, the Delaware City Dredged Material Placement Area and its entrance off Cox Neck Road will be closed to the public starting in mid-April. 

The USACE Philadelphia District maintains more than 500 miles of navigation channels in the region, including the C&D Canal and the approximate 100-mile channel from Philadelphia to the Sea. Dredging projects and their associated placement areas, such as the Delaware City Dredged Material Placement Area, are a critical part of maintaining the authorized depth of those navigation channels and essential for maritime commerce, and the supply chain of the region.