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Atlantic City is set to unveil its newly replenished beaches following a $40 million sand replenishment project aimed at combating severe erosion caused by winter storms. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers led the project, which added 1.2 million cubic yards of sand to the northern beaches, completing the work in February. This initiative aims to restore the beaches and reduce storm damage, enhancing the area for the upcoming summer tourism season.
Local businesses, including casinos like Hard Rock and Ocean, are preparing to enhance beach services with new bar setups and expanded amenities. According to NJ.com, the beaches near these casinos were severely eroded, leading to closures last year. The replenishment project is expected to support tourism, with events like a fireworks display scheduled for June 27.
The sand was sourced from the Absecon Inlet and nearby waters, as reported by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. This replenishment follows a previous $20 million project in 2020. Anthony Catanoso, president of the North Beach Atlantic City Association, expressed appreciation for the restoration efforts, emphasizing the importance of maintaining the beaches against ongoing erosion challenges.
Despite the replenishment, challenges remain. AP News highlighted that the lack of sand in previous years impacted local businesses, with some casinos even funding their own temporary sand solutions. The completion of this project is expected to provide a much-needed boost to Atlantic City's tourism and economy.