Seaside Heights officials have announced the start date of a project that will include the reconstruction of two sections of the borough’s boardwalk.
Going on a decade since Superstorm Sandy necessitated the last replacement of boardwalk timber, Seaside Heights is beginning to perform a replacement of two sections of the boardwalk that often receive heavy use – including vehicle access – with construction scheduled to start in October. The project will encompass one section on the southern portion of the boardwalk and one on the northern portion, and the work is expected to last about two months.
The Grant Avenue vehicle ramp, as Shorebeat previously reported, represents one of the sections. The area from the street end and vehicle ramp itself, to the boardwalk, will be closed for the entire duration of the project and will also serve as the designated construction staging area. The vehicle ramp will be reconstructed in its entirety, and the section of boardwalk east of the vehicle ramp will be reconstructed in two phases so that pedestrian access will remain available at all times in the north-south direction, through Casino Pier.
The second portion of the replacement project will take place on the southern end of the boardwalk, from Dupont Avenue (near the Beachbomber) northbound to Franklin Avenue.
The ultimately terminus of this portion of the project is dependent upon the final contract award amount and available funding, officials have said. With the current cost of timber, a single block of boardwalk replacement is expected to cost several hundred thousands dollars, excluding labor. But officials are hopeful that there may be funding to advance the project northbound past Franklin Avenue toward Hamilton Avenue.
Emergency vehicle access across the dune to the beach will be provided via the Franklin Avenue vehicle crossover during the length of the project.
The borough has already solicited bids for the project, which are due back next week. A bid is expected to be awarded Sept. 21 and work is set to begin on our about Oct. 17. The work schedule is about 60 days to completion, meaning the construction will go on through the latter part of December, though pedestrian access will be maintained, albeit with “potential intermittent disruptions.”
