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Cape May, New Jersey is set to receive a major upgrade to its coastal defenses after federal officials authorized a $24.3 million seawall project aimed at protecting one of the Jersey Shore's most flood-prone areas.
Congressman Jeff Van Drew announced that the Cape May City Seawall Flood Mitigation Project has officially been authorized to move forward with secured FEMA grant funding. The project targets an area that was identified as a serious weak point following Superstorm Sandy.
"This authorization represents a major breakthrough for Cape May," Van Drew said in a statement. "It's crucial that we remain prepared against future storms."
The seawall expansion has been nearly four years in the making, according to the Press of Atlantic City. It will expand the city's Promenade, which already serves as a protective barrier against coastal flooding.
The announcement comes as several Jersey Shore communities are dealing with severe beach erosion. Last week, Adam Telle, assistant secretary of the U.S. Army's Civil Works Division, toured damaged beaches in Ocean City, Upper Township, Avalon and North Wildwood alongside Van Drew.
"We're going to bring money into the district for beach nourishment, for these emergency areas, for the worst areas of erosion," Van Drew said during the tour, as reported by NJ.com.
The federal government is preparing to provide "tens of millions of dollars" for rapid emergency repairs before summer tourists return to the shore. Sand loss accelerated last August during Hurricane Erin and worsened in October when two more storms, including a nor'easter, caused additional damage.
Separately, Van Drew and U.S. Rep. Laura Gillen (D-N.Y.) have proposed legislation called the Coastal Trust Fund Act, which would designate $1 billion annually in the federal budget for permanent beach repair funding. The fund would draw primarily from federal revenue generated by offshore drilling.
Cape May Mayor Zack Mullock has previously highlighted the seawall project as a priority for the city, which has been working to enhance its coastal protections while maintaining the historic charm that makes the Victorian seaside resort a popular destination.