Photo: J. MacNeill-Traylor / Moment / Getty Images
A major beach restoration project is currently underway in North Wildwood, New Jersey. The project, which is expected to be completed by the Fourth of July, is a response to years of lobbying by local officials for state intervention to address severe beach erosion. The New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) is managing the project, which is estimated to cost around $15 million. The state will cover two-thirds of the cost.
The project involves the addition of approximately two billion pounds of sand to the North Wildwood beach. The sand will be dredged from the nearby inlet and spread across the beach using heavy machinery. The work will be carried out in 1,000-foot increments, with each section being closed to the public during construction and reopened once completed.
The restoration project is a temporary measure to mitigate the effects of erosion until a larger, federal beach project for the entire Five Mile Beach area, which includes North Wildwood, Wildwood, and Wildwood Crest, can begin. The federal project is expected to start in 2025.
Governor Phil Murphy, Mayor Patrick Rosenello, and State Senator Mike Testa have all been instrumental in securing the funding and authorization for the emergency project. Despite the political differences, the officials have put aside their differences to address the urgent need for beach restoration in North Wildwood.
"This was literally an emergency,” Governor Murphy said to the Press of Atlantic City. “This is a community that thrives between Memorial Day and Labor Day. They were running risk that there would be basically no summer in North Wildwood.”
The project has been met with relief by local residents and visitors, who have witnessed the beach's steady decline over the years. The restoration will not only protect the beachfront properties but also ensure that the community can continue to enjoy the beach during the summer months.(northwildwood.com)