More Beach Sand is On The Way

We need more sand after Sandy, and it's coming.

A contract with the Army corps of Engineers that will include beach replenishment from Long Branch to Manasquan will be awarded in July. Work will then move forward until its completion, which is estimated to be at the beginning of 2014.

Congressman Frank Pallone says this work will be one of the largest beach nourishment projects ever undertaken by the Army Corps of Engineers and the world's biggest beach-fill project in terms of sand volume!

Once it's finished, there will be a greater protective barrier between the coastal towns and the ocean, which should reduce the risk of flooding and storm related damages.

In fact, the Army Corps of Engineers will replenish the beach to original design profile, which will mean the beaches will be much wider than prior to Sandy.

The Army Corps will complete the project in three separate contracts in addition to the Long Branch contract.

The contract for Sea Bright to Monmouth Beach will be awarded in June. The other two contracts, which are Asbury Park to Avon, and Belmar to Manasquan, will be awarded in July.

As for Long Branch, officials have said repairs of their boardwalk and damaged bluffs won't start until the beaches are replenished. The hope is to have all that done by the start of next summer's season.