Regional working‑waterfront grant: three Middlesex sites included in 11‑site USDOT application; 30% plans due Jan. 30

Consultants and regional planners presented the county with a draft design package for a Middle Peninsula working‑waterfront grant application that would seek up to $25 million from the U.S. Department of Transportation to improve 11 public access and waterfront sites across the PDC region. The package includes three sites in Middlesex County: Whiting Creek (also called Carlton Road), Mill Creek Landing and Stampers Bay on the Piankatank.

Ricky Wyatt of DHB, presenting the county’s portion, stressed the effort is at 30 percent design. “One thing I really want to stress today… we’re only going to 30% design right now,” Wyatt said, adding that the 30 percent package will be publicly available and used to apply for the next round of funding; further public engagement and technical design would follow if the region receives an award. The PDC will submit the consolidated application by Jan. 30; award decisions are expected about six months later.

What’s proposed: consultants said the program focuses on small but durable improvements that help commercial watermen and maritime contractors — improved ramps, longer‑lasting docks (concrete piles or concrete panels designed for lower long‑term maintenance), parking improvements, occasional dredging at ramps that lack channel depth, and minor shoreline stabilization such as “wave screens” to control sand migration at some sites. The consultants included cost estimates for dredging where ramps lack access to channel depth; they said the full dredging of creeks is generally outside this grant but may be pursued with other funding sources.

Public concerns and board reaction: Stampers Bay generated the most comments; some supervisors and attendees questioned whether the site will function as a working watermen location or primarily as recreational access. Supervisor Bill Harris urged caution about listing sites that lack commercial activity as “working waterfront,” and several supervisors and members of the public raised maintenance questions — who will empty dumpsters, how to deter illegal dumping, whether porta‑potties are needed and who will pay recurring operational costs. Consultants said those operational cost estimates will be part of the application’s benefit‑cost analysis; they will work with county staff to project maintenance needs and options.

Safety issues: Supervisors raised a separate concern about vehicle and pedestrian safety at the Stanley/Stanford’s Bay intersection (a locally noted dangerous intersection). Consultants acknowledged those concerns and said having a public facility strengthens any case for seeking future state or federal transportation funding to address intersections and access.

Timeline and next steps: consultants will finalize and share the 30 percent drawings with county staff for local review; the PDC will submit the application by Jan. 30 and expect an award decision in roughly six months. If funded, the project moves from 30 to 100 percent design with additional environmental (NEPA) review, permitting and public engagement; consultants estimated two years as a realistic minimum before construction begins. Supervisors asked staff and consultants to consider operational responsibilities — whether the county, a public access authority or another party will maintain each site — and to keep local stakeholders engaged throughout design.