Mayor Jay Gillian: Dredging on Beach and Bay

Dear Friends: Last night, City Council authorized the administration to solicit bids for a summer dredge project. As many of you know, we are already working to empty a portion of Site 83. Following the removal of 50,000 cubic yards of material, we will begin dredging at Carnival Bayou, located between 16th and 17th Street, until we refill site 83. We also will mechanically dredge Snug Harbor into the disposal site under Route 52. These are important first steps to our long term approach to dredging that includes emptying disposal sites, pursuing new disposal sites, and seeking alternative methods of disposal of materials. I will keep you updated on when these projects will begin. The south end beach replenishment project is continuing and Great Lakes is currently pumping sand near 39th Street beach, with the beach closed roughly between 39th – 41st Street. Dune crossover work is expected to begin on Monday. Remember, daily updates are provided on the Army Corps website: www.nap.usace.army.mil/GET and the City will continue to provide information at www.ocnj.us/beachfill. The City also has a great deal of utility work ongoing. New Jersey American Water is replacing aging pipe to improve water flow and reliability. They plan to be completed their work in early June. Atlantic City Electric crews are working in various locations in Ocean City to improve the reliability by installing fusing and adding animal guards. Work is expected to be completed by Memorial Day. And South Jersey Gas is presently working on projects in several areas, which they plan to complete prior to the summer season, and have several more capital projects planned for the fall. City Council also awarded a contract to Spohn Ranch to construct the skate park. We are optimistic the construction will begin soon, with the facility completed 90 days after construction begins, weather permitting. I hope you all have a great weekend! Warm regards, Jay A. Gillian Mayor