SEA ISLE CITY – The city council introduced a bond ordinance Tuesday, Oct. 24, providing up to $3.2 million for the city’s share of the cost of the federal beach replenishment project that will put sand on the beaches of southern Ocean City, Strathmere in Upper Township and Sea Isle City.
The city is expecting approximately 640,000 cubic yards of new sand for its badly eroded beaches from 29th to 53rd streets and from 73rd Street to Townsend’s Inlet. The contract also includes options for the placement of additional sand, but the exercise of those options is not yet known. Dune crossover paths, fencing and other features will be repaired as part of the contract.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced an award for the project to Great Lakes Dredge and Dock Company. The $33.7 million project is a joint effort of the Army Corps, the state and the three municipalities. The announcement states that work is expected to begin in the “fall or winter timeframe.” The initial award was delayed when the bids came in above Army Corps estimates.
Desiderio said that actual costs for the project will not be known until the sand is on the beaches. Cost is a factor of how much sand is actually placed. He said the hope is that the contractor will receive a notice to proceed sometime in November. Expected costs have risen as the three municipalities have all suffered from significant new erosion in the last couple of months, he said.
Desiderio expects that the Sea Isle contribution to the replenishment on city beaches will run at about 12.5% of project costs. The bulk of the cost for federal replenishment projects comes from the Army Corps, with the state also contributing with funds from the Shore Protection Fund.
There will be a public hearing and vote on the ordinance at the Tuesday, Nov. 14, council meeting.
Contact the author, Vince Conti, at vconti@cmcherald.com.
