SEA ISLE CITY – An expected $29.3 million project for beach replenishment from south Ocean City through Sea Isle City is on hold as the Army Corps of Engineers reviews bids that exceeded pre-bid estimates.
The project would put just above 250,000 cubic yards of sand on south end beaches in Ocean City from 45th Street to about 59th Street. Strathmere would get just over 450,000 cubic yards from Corson’s Inlet to Taylor Avenue. Sea Isle City would see new sand totaling 640,000 cubic yards in the central beaches from 29th Street to 53rd Street and in the south end from 73rd Street to the inlet.
The Army Corps Philadelphia Office received two bids for the project, both higher than estimates. Great Lakes Dredging had the lower bid, $33.8 million. Weeks Marine Inc. offered a bid of $43.9 million.
The Army Corps has not yet announced how it will proceed. The Corps could reject both bids and initiate a rebidding process; if it does the project will most likely be delayed. It is also possible the Corps will find a way to make an award and move ahead with the project.
Meanwhile, all three towns suffered further erosion when Tropical Storm Ophelia whipped the county shoreline in late September.
The project had been expected to get underway this fall.
Contact the author, Vince Conti, at vconti@cmcherald.com.
