After being stuck in the planning stages of the new Ironton Marina, the first action was finally taken Tuesday as workers from Central Star Drilling conducted the needed tests for the marina project to move forward.

A geotechnical investigation was done in order to test the borings and take soil samples by the river on Center Street, the site of the marina.

“We need to figure out what kind of soil is in the river bank and how deep the bedrock is before we do a final structural design on the seawall and dock pilings,” Michael Williams, project engineer at E.L. Robinson Engineering, said. “They are only drilling two holes today (Monday), but another will be drilled in the river on a barge. We don’t know when that will be yet, but we are in the process of getting that scheduled.”

The date of the geological investigation was originally scheduled for April 13; but it had to be moved due to the high water in the river at that time.

“We got a grant two years ago to put in a 33 slip marina,” Ironton Mayor Rich Blankenship said. “A mussel study of the river has already been completed.”

E.L. Robinson has been working on the design of the marina and has submitted its preliminary plans to the Corps of Engineers in order to get approved, Williams said.

“That starts the permitting process,” Williams said. “We need to have all of this work done before getting the final design of all permits so that the bidding can begin. There is no time table yet on when that will be, but our goal is to have everything approved by August.”

Williams said after approval, the marina should be completed in about six months.