The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers awarded a $32.5 million contract for beach replenishment projects in Ocean City and two other towns in Cape May County.
The contract with Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Co., of Oak Brook, Illinois, calls for dredging more than 2.4 million cubic yards of sand and placing it on the beaches in Ocean City, Strathmere and Sea Isle City.
The sand will be pumped onto the beach at the following locations:
- 800,000 cubic yards of sand in north Ocean City from Seaview Road to 13th Street
- 455,000 cubic yards of sand in south Ocean City from 49th to 59th Street
- 410,000 cubic yards of sand in Strathmere from Corsons Inlet to Prescott Road
- 250,000 cubic yards of sand in north Sea Isle City from the southern end of Whale Beach to 52nd Street
- 510,000 cubic yards of sand in south Sea Isle City from 68th Street to Townsends Inlet
The sand is then graded into an engineered template, which is designed to reduce damages from coastal storms. Most of the work involves widening the beach. However, in some areas, the dunes, beach access points and sand fencing will be repaired.
The project will counteract erosion to the beaches and dunes caused by storms and churned up surf.
There are also contract options for additional sand. The options could be exercised depending on surveys and the condition of the beaches. The cost of the base contract and all of the contract options is $41.3 million.
The contract includes conducting periodic nourishment of two separate Coastal Storm Risk Management projects:
The Great Egg Harbor and Peck Beach project extends from Surf Road to 34th Street in Ocean City. It includes an elevated berm and was first constructed in 1992. The project has been periodically nourished over the years, resulting in a wider beach. Periodic nourishment is cost-shared at 65 percent federal and 35 percent non-federal.
The Great Egg Harbor Inlet to Townsends Inlet project extends from 34th Street in Ocean City to Townsends Inlet and includes southern Ocean City, Strathmere in Upper Township, and Sea Isle City. Initial construction of the project was completed in 2016.
Both projects are joint efforts of the Army Corps' Philadelphia District, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and the three municipalities. Work is designed to reduce damages from coastal storms.
In the next several weeks, the Army Corps will coordinate with Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Co. on the dredging and construction schedule.
Previously, the Army Corps said the work is expected to be done in the fall, winter and spring and be completed in time for the summer tourism season.
