The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New York District, has awarded an approximately $12.9 million contract to Weeks Marine of Cranford, N.J., for the placement of approximately 800,000 cubic yards of sand on Monmouth Beach as a part of coastal storm risk reduction efforts in the area.
The work is designed to reduce the risk of coastal storms public and private property as well as infrastructure, but will also provide additional benefits for the local community.
“ This work will reduce the coastal storm vulnerability of Monmouth Beach community ,” said New York District Commander Col. John R. Boulé. “ Also, while this project’s purpose is primarily to reduce risk to public safety and property, we’re excited about the positive ancillary impact it will have on recreation and tourism as well.”
The project is being done in partnership with the New Jersey State Department of Environmental Protection, the local cost-sharing sponsor for the project. The federal portion of the project is 65 percent, through the Corps of Engineers, and the local portion of the project is 35 percent, through the NJDEP.
Rep. Frank Pallone , whose congressional district includes the project area, said he was excited about the project moving forward.
“I commend the Army Corps for moving quickly on awarding this contract, ” said Pallone. “ Hurricane Irene’s wrath proved how important beach replenishment projects are to our communities. These projects put people to work and strengthen infrastructure. I look forward to seeing work begin soon on this critical project.”
Renourishment work is slated to be completed by the end of the winter.
The contractor will dredge sand for the renourishment work from the Sea Bright Borrow Area off of Sandy Hook, N.J., where sand has regularly come from for New York District’s renourishment projects in New Jersey since 1994.
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Source: usace, October 6, 2011