U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer announced that the Army Corps of Engineers has awarded a $10 million contract for an emergency project that will restore 600,000 cubic yards of sand along Rockaway Beach. The construction will take place along Beach 89th to Beach 149th and this is the first of two emergency beach replenishment projects in Rockaway.
“Today’s announcement means that Rockaway’s beaches are one step closer to being rebuilt and protected against future storms, ” said Schumer. “ After Sandy, Rockaway’s beaches lost a tremendous amount of sand, making them vulnerable to future storms and flooding. I fought hard to make sure replenishment projects like the Rockaway Beach Protection Project were fully funded by the Sandy Relief Bill and now this important project is becoming a reality. ”
The entire Rockaway Beach project spans the length of Beach 19th to Beach 149th Street. There are two phases of the project. The first phase targets the most vulnerable area, Beach 89th to Beach 149th, and the second phase targets Beach 19th to Beach 149th. In March, Schumer announced that, after his push, the project would be fully covered by the federal government through the Sandy Relief Bill.
Schumer announced that the Army Corps has awarded a contract for the first phase of this sand replenishment project, adding 600,000 cubic yards of sand to restore the most vulnerable sections of Rockaway. The second phase, expected to be awarded an Army Corps contract sometime this summer, will add two million cubic yards of sand and restore original beach profiles.
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Press Release, June 12, 2013