Posted on February 14, 2024
The next periodic Long Beach Island beach replenishment project could begin later this year depending on a number of factors, including the timing of the bid process and the availability of the dredge to do the work.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Philadelphia District said the current timeline calls for the work to go out to bid in March. Should that be the case, the bids would be opened in May. A successful bid opening depends on the amount of work as well as funding, according to the Army Corps.
If all of that falls into place, beach replenishment could begin this summer or in the fall. As of last February, the cost of the project was expected to be $49 million after local, county and state monies were factored into the price. At that time, the work was anticipated to begin in the fall.
Also in February 2023, the Ocean County Board of Commissioners announced it was prepared to cover the entire local cost of the project. The local costs are divided between the county and the local municipalities. The state also contributes to the overall cost of the project.
The Barnegat Inlet to Little Egg Inlet Coastal Storm Risk Management project, also known as the Long Beach Island beachfill project, was developed and designed “to reduce the risk of loss of lives and damages to property and infrastructure from the waves, erosion, high tides and surges” associated with major storm events, according to the project purpose statement.
Earlier this year, beaches up and down the Island took a beating as a storm rolled through the Southern Ocean County area.
In the meantime, a four-year program is underway by researchers from the Stevens Institute of Technology, Rutgers University and Stockton University to study shoreline evolution, current flood mitigation practices and nature-based flood mitigation pathways regarding Jersey Shore beach erosion and replenishment.
Harvey Cedars Mayor John Imperiale will serve on the Management Transition Advisory Group for the four-year duration of the project.
