CAPE MAY – At its May 19 meeting, Cape May City Council voted to move forward with city participation in a federal backpassing project to place 76,000 cubic yards of sand at the Cove beach.
The Cove, an area of vulnerability for storm surge flooding, is a regular target for Army Corps of Engineers replenishment projects. With no hydraulic replenishment project scheduled this year, the federal effort will rely on moving sand to the eroded beachfront by truck, at a cost of almost $2 million. The project is largely funded by the federal government, with approximately $400,000 being the required contribution from the city and state.
According to City Manager Jerry Inderwies, the city is responsible for $98,000 of the funding for the project. The costs include mobilization and demobilization expenses. Existing funds from previous capital bond issues will allow the city to pay for the project without issuing new debt, Inderwies said.
The backpassing effort will likely begin in October and will be completed this year. A tight schedule for advertising for bids and awarding the contract required a decision on the city’s participation May 19.
