Posted on September 24, 2018
Following a partner meeting with beach restoration contractor Weeks Marine Inc. on Tuesday morning, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced that work in Harvey Cedars is now estimated to end in late September or early October. Dredging and beachfill work was paused earlier this month due to stormy weather and rough seas, pushing back the completion date by a couple weeks.
“Once the dredge Magdalen returns to LBI, there’s about 12 days of work remaining,” said Army Corps public affairs officer Steve Rochette. “Weeks Marine has started to set up some equipment, and the dredge will return when weather permits.”
Harvey Cedars Mayor Jonathan Oldham said in August that while the borough was thankful for the protection the beachfill brings, “We’re disappointed in the amount of time it has taken, and that it went through the summer.”
In addition to weather-related delays, mechanical issues with the pipeline dredge R.S. Weeks, and a contract option for more sand, pushed back the timeline.
Weeks completed replenishment operations in Surf City in early August, tapering off a few streets into northern Ship Bottom, and finished a project in Brant Beach, from about 31st to 57th Street, at the end of May.
“Ideally, construction takes place outside of the summer season, but there is a limited number of dredges capable of completing this type of project,” the Army Corps notes on its website. “Additionally, weather, mechanical issues and progress on other projects has significantly impacted the schedule for work on Long Beach Island.”
Another contractor, Great Lakes Dredge and Dock Co., concluded initial construction of the Island’s dune and berm system in November 2016, after years of staggered work in the various sections of the Island. The entire project area then became eligible for Flood Control and Coastal Emergencies funding, which led to the recent beachfill in Harvey Cedars, Surf City and Brant Beach.
The entirety of the LBI project area will continue to be surveyed on a routine basis, in addition to undergoing evaluation following any significant storm events.
Source: The SandPaper.Net
