The Christie Administration and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers have announced the start of major beach construction projects in Cape May and Monmouth counties.
The federally funded projects, totaling nearly $96 million, are critical components of the Administration’s comprehensive strategy to protect communities and make New Jersey’s coastline stronger and more resilient in the face of future storms.
A contractor for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Philadelphia District this week launched work on a $57.6-million contract to construct beaches and dunes in southern Ocean City, the Strathmere section of Upper Township, and Sea Isle City in Cape May County.
In Monmouth County, a contractor for the Army Corps’ New York District also started work on a $38.2 million project to construct beaches, make stormwater outfall improvements and implement modifications to existing groins in the area of Loch Arbour, Allenhurst and Deal.
The projects are being funded by $1.2 billion appropriated by Congress to rebuild and strengthen New Jersey’s beaches following Superstorm Sandy in October 2012.
In Cape May County, the Army Corps began placing sand in the area of 42nd and 43rd streets in southern Ocean City. Work in the southern end of Ocean City, from 34th Street to the northern boundary of Corson’s Inlet State Park, will involve construction of a dune approximately 13 feet above sea level, with a 25-foot-width at the top and a beach extending 100 feet from the seaward base of the dune.
On Ludlum Island, which encompasses the Strathmere section of Upper Township and Sea Isle City, the dune will be 15 feet above sea level and 25 feet wide at the top. The beach will be 50 feet wide.
The contractor is Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Co. of Oak Brook, Illinois. More than 4.2 million cubic yards of sand will be pumped over the 9.1-mile length of the project. Crossovers will be repaired, sand fencing installed and dune grasses planted.
In Monmouth County, Seattle-based Manson Construction Co. is beginning work on the first part of a two-phase project that will close a five-mile gap in the stretch of coastline between Sea Bright and Manasquan that was reconstructed after Sandy.
Other beach construction projects scheduled to commence in 2015 include beach and dune construction at Long Beach Island, including Long Beach Township, northern Surf City, Ship Bottom and Beach Haven; Absecon Island at southern Ventnor, Margate and Longport; and the Northern Ocean County peninsula between the Manasquan and Barnegat Inlets, including Point Pleasant Beach, Bay Head, Mantoloking, Brick, Toms River, Lavallette, Seaside Heights, Seaside Park and Berkeley.
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