STRATHMERE – The cost of removing old pilings from the beaches in the Strathmere section of Upper Township has increased, as more hidden pilings were discovered just before a federal beach replenishment project was about to get underway.
Upper Township Business Administrator Gary DeMarzo said the township was given an estimate requiring an additional $150,000 to remove pilings exposed due to severe erosion and strong wave action. The township is paying 25% of the state Department of Environmental Protection’s share of the project. Upper Township had already cut a check for $33,700, when additional pilings were found in eight more locations.
DeMarzo said the new estimate for clearing out all the areas would be more than $700,000. He said the DEP would provide the township with a new template showing how the project can best be accomplished under the current funding.
“Neither the township, nor the state, nor the Army Corps of Engineers have the time or resources to get the additional funding source in place,” DeMarzo said. “That means the template has to be redone.”
DeMarzo said the original template called for placing 457,000 cubic yards of sand on the Strathmere beaches. Now, that amount will be placed in the highest priority locations, he said. Estimates are that an additional 443,000 cubic yards is needed, but will not be a part of this project. DeMarzo said the increased need due to erosion might result in narrower beaches and lower berm heights in some locations.
The pilings were discovered prior to the beginning of a $33.7 million federal beach replenishment project scheduled for Great Egg Harbor Inlet through Townsend’s Inlet. The project started on Friday, Dec. 8, DeMarzo said.
“They are there – they are working on it,” he said.
Upper Township’s share of the beach replenishment project is about $1 million, DeMarzo said.
Stormwater Pumps Added in Strathmere
While the federal and state governments are assisting with shore protection, DeMarzo said the township used grant money for three pumps in Strathmere. He said the pumps have three functions: To clear the stormwater system prior to a storm, to reduce the amount of stormwater infiltration during a flood, and to remove water after the peak of a flood.
The pumps will be located on Bayview Drive at the street ends at Putnam, Sumner and Webster avenues, as part of a $1.5 million stormwater mitigation project. DeMarzo said this work should begin after Christmas and be completed in March 2024.
DeMarzo said a new engineer came on and made changes to the road elevation as part of the final product, which includes the three emergency flood pumps.
Contact the author, Christopher South, at csouth@cmcherald.com or 609-886-8600, ext. 128.
