Army Corps completes Monmouth County beach repair, restoration projects
Crews working on the Long Branch beach restoration project on January 26, 2014. (Photo: Richard Huff via Jersey Shore Hurricane News)
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has completed its Superstorm Sandy beach repair and restoration projects along the Monmouth County coastline, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Bob Martin and Army Corps officials announced today in a release.
Crews have now concluded sand placement operations at all federal restoration projects along 45 miles of coastline in New Jersey, including several on Long Beach Island and the southern coast, according to the release.
“These beaches have been repaired and restored to their original design standard, not just to pre-Sandy conditions, and will offer enhanced protection for future storms,” Commissioner Martin said. “We’re grateful for the expeditious work of the Army Corps of Engineers, particularly as we start another great beach season. We also look forward to the start of other upcoming Army Corps coastal and flood projects which will make New Jersey more resilient along our entire coastline and other waterways.”
With 7.9 million cubic yards of new sand placed by Army Corps’ New York District, Monmouth County beaches are now restored to their original protection design completed between 1994 and 2001, creating larger and wider beaches than many areas have seen in years and now greater coastal storm risk management, the release said.
Further south, Army Corps’ Philadelphia District completed the beach fill portions of six repair and restoration projects in February, pumping approximately 10 million cubic yards of sand onto beaches in Harvey Cedars, Surf City and Brant Beach on Long Beach Island, Atlantic City and Ventnor on Absecon Island, Brigantine Island, Ocean City, Avalon and Stone Harbor on 7-Mile Island, and Cape May City, according to the release.
The coastal restoration work in all shore communities cost $345 million, which was all federally funded.
“From the beginning this has been a team effort,” said Brig. Gen. Kent D. Savre, the Commanding General of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers North Atlantic Division. “Our beaches are a critical resource for our Nation, and we’re thankful to have such great partners working with us since ‘Day 1’ to reduce the risk of future storm events to our coastline communities.”
Another phase consisting of 11 planned coastal and flood protection projects will commence later this year and run through 2016 at an estimated cost of $1.4 billion, the release said. The projects will help create a comprehensive engineered shore protection system along the Atlantic coast, while also bolstering protections on the Delaware Bay coast, Raritan Bay, Sandy Hook Bay and tidal portions of the South River and the Passaic River.
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