MANNS HARBOR, N.C. (AP) The contractor dredging the channel used for the Hatteras-Ocracoke ferry run is more than halfway done with the project.

A statement from the ferry division of the N.C. Department of Transportation said the contractor hired by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has removed 102,723 cu. yds. (78,537 cu m) of material to a required depth of 10 ft. (3 m). The department said that amounts to 65 percent.

Operations on the Dredge Richmond were halted Jan. 30 and 31 due to high winds.

Shoaling in the channel has been an ongoing issue, but Hurricane Sandy, two back-to-back nor’easters and several winter storms have contributed to the problem. DOT has said it could be several weeks before the dredging takes care of the problem and the route returns to a normal schedule.

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