Posted on July 27, 2026
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New York District, recently completed removing damaged wooden cross-overs to the beach at Downtown Montauk on Eastern Long Island, replacing them with new sand paths for public access as part of the Fire Island to Montauk Point (FIMP) Project reducing flood risk along 83 miles of low-lying coastline from Fire Island Inlet to Montauk Point. The cross-overs were damaged by a series of severe storms in recent years.
New York District Commander Col. Eric Swenson stated: “Developing engineering solutions to temper the forces of nature is always challenge. Our District’s team of professionals across many disciplines pride themselves on finding these solutions. The sand paths provide the same level of beach access as the cross-overs and are less expensive to maintain.”
NEW SAND PATHS
Three 20-foot-wide sand paths were constructed, similar in width to the cross-overs. Planting of sea grass on the dunes bordering the paths ensures retention of sand and the integrity of the path. Under FIMP, the Army Corps of Engineers is obligated to provide public access at coastal project sites ⎼ the sand paths were agreed upon as an upgrade to crossovers.
Monitoring the work are New York District employees Nicholas Garrisi, Kevin Merenda and Robert Hanna, along with personnel from the Village of Montauk. Beginning in March, the paths took approximately three months to complete and were 100 percent funded by the federal government using funds from the Sandy Program.
THE PROCESS
The sand paths are constructed in the following manner:
▶ Remove grass and soil to a depth of 4–6 inches to create a firm, level/slightly sloped base for drainage.
▶ A pathway is excavated using heavy equipment;
▶ Edging is installed along the sides to slow the growth of vegetation ;
▶Install edging (e.g., metal, plastic, or wood) to contain the sand, and lay landscape fabric to prevent weed growth and keep the sand separated from the soil.
▶ Laying down a compacted, coarse gravel base topped with several inches of sand to ensure stability and drainage;
The original cross-overs were part of a previous renourishment at Downtown Montauk funded by the federal government; at that time bags were put in place to contain the sand and reinforce the beach.
PROJECT DELIVERY TEAM
The initiative is being managed by New York’s Project Delivery Team ⎼ an interdisciplinary group of professionals handling planning and design, engineering, contracting, legal items and oversight of construction. Team members include:
● Mark Lulka Project Manager
● Chelsea Yuen Engineering Lead
● Suzana Rice Engineering Lead
● Eli Greenblatt Engineering Lead
● Robert Smith Planning Lead
● Nicholas Garrisi Construction Lead
Minimal Maintenance
The sand paths are designed for minimal maintenance ⎼ occasional removal of debris and accumulated sand is all that’s needed. There’s no wood or metal construction elements to maintain.
SECONDARY BENEFIT
As a secondary public benefit, residents will enjoy a much wider beach than previous years as the New York District placed some 450,000 cubic yards of sand on the beach in 2024. The primary goal of Army Corps coastal-storm risk management projects is to reduce flood risk to homes, people and infrastructure from severe storms and tidal surges. To that end, the sand replenishment has performed as designed: there has been no significant flooding in Downtown Montauk since work was completed.
