$9.1 million repairs set for Oswego Harbor breakwall

Over one hundred years of storms, wave action, and wear and tear have caused significant damage to the Port of Oswego’s breakwall. A multi-million dollar contract dedicated to repairing the damage to Oswego’s harbor breakwall is on the way.

Rail cars of granite will soon arrive at the Port of Oswego to be used to repair the breakwall.

Mercedes Niess, executive director of the H. Lee White Maritime Museum at Oswego, says the breakwall was originally built to protect the harbor from Lake Ontario’s harsh waves.

“Now, after years of wear and tear, the breakwall is in a bit of a need of some TLC,” Niess said.

The $9.1 million contract, awarded by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, will resume repairs originally started in 2018.

After seven years of improvements, this fully federally funded project will mark the end of the breakwall’s repairs.

Oswego Harbor is a deep-draft commercial harbor that contributes $8.5 million in labor income to the transportation sector and is accessible from any international port worldwide.

Niess says the repairs will make the port safer for the people of Oswego.

Construction on the breakwall will begin this spring and is expected to be completed by winter 2026.