Beach replenishment set for southern Deal to Loch Arbour
Loch Arbour in Feb. 2006. (Image: Sister72 via Flickr)
A local congressman has announced a $38 million contract to a Seattle company that will reconstruct beaches and handle several shore protection projects in Monmouth County.
Manson Construction Company is slated to start the work in the spring, according to the office of Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06). The contract was awarded this week and made public Friday night.
“I’m pleased that the Army Corps is moving forward with this important investment that will help to protect homes and businesses along the Jersey Shore from future flooding and repair the destruction caused by Sandy,” said Congressman Pallone. “Our beaches are a fundamental part of life here on the shore, both for residents to enjoy and also to drive tourism. I have fought for this and other beach replenishment projects for years because I know how important they are to protect some of our most fragile coastal infrastructure.”
The contract calls for the company to pump about 1.4 million cubic yards of sand for reconstruction of the shoreline from southern Deal to Loch Arbour, beginning in spring 2015.
It also will modify six existing stormwater outfalls and modify two existing groins, also known as jetties, which are coastal protection structures that extend from the beach into the ocean.
A contract for beach replenishment from Philips Ave in Deal north to Lake Takanasee in Elberon will be awarded later this year.
The restoration and repair work is funded through the Army Corps’ Flood Control and Coastal Emergencies program, while the construction is funded by the federal government.
“Awarding this contract, which is the first of two contracts, for the Elberon to Loch Arbour storm risk reduction project will enable the Corps to begin working on completion of the last remaining section for the 21 miles of shoreline between Sea Bright and Manasquan” said Col. Paul Owen, commander, Army Corps of Engineers, New York District. “Once complete, this project will provide additional beach erosion control and storm risk reduction to coastal communities in New Jersey.”
The Jersey Shore chapter of the Surfrider Foundation has been regularly critical of beach replenishment, saying it creates more hazardous swimming conditions, generates poor quality sand, and negatively impacts wildlife.
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The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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