The dredge Illinois took shelter Wednesday in the bay behind Longport to avoid rough seas generated by a gusty southeast wind.
The dredge is expected to return to work no earlier than Friday, according to Stephen Rochelle, spokesman for the Army Corps of Engineers Philadelphia District.
The dredge is in the middle of a $9 million project to pump 700,000 cubic yards of new sand to rebuild eroded beaches from Seaspray Road to 15th Street. The project has reached the area between First Street and Second Street on its way southward to 15th Street.
The work started Nov. 2 and is expected to take between 45 and 60 days.
The marine forecast calls for seas of 4 to 7 feet with a southeast wind as strong as 35 mph on Thursday. Swells are expected to subside on Friday as the wind turns from the northwest.
