With two delays having been announced for an upcoming beach and dune-building project to begin in Ortley Beach, officials in Seaside Heights say they have been keeping tabs on when the project will come to their town.
Given the fact that the borough’s economy is largely based on summer tourism, officials had worried that the project – which they supported – would close off portions of the beachfront during the busy summer season.
As the schedule currently stands, Seaside Heights will still receive its portion of the project after the summer, said Borough Administrator Christopher Vaz.
“At this point, we’re being told that the Mantoloking project will start later, which means ours will start later,” said Vaz. “We’re into an October or November timeframe.”
The project will utilize two different types of dredge boats owned by Weeks Marine, the federal government’s contract. The hopper dredge that will perform an initial replenishment on Ortley Beach had been in Florida, completing a project and undergoing maintenance and repairs before it steams up the coast the New Jersey. The most recent expected start date for Ortley Beach is May 24.