As Shorebeat chronicled throughout the progress of new boardwalk installation in recent months, the “off-season” is a working season at the Jersey Shore, with a multitude of improvement projects taking place in time for the next summer.
A lesser-known project in town has been the replacement of the T-dock at Sunset Beach, better known as the pier near the Stewart’s Root Beer stand and boat rental hut. Over essentially the course of the entire winter, and much of the spring, crews were busy taking apart the lengthy dock and replacing it, board by board, with new and sturdier surfacing.
Since going through something of a “re-branding” of the north bayfront area of town as “Sunset Beach,” an ode to the area’s spectacular sunset viewing opportunities, it has become a more attractive location for those in town to gather, officials have said.
“Resident and visitor use of the borough’s south and north bayfront areas has grown significantly over the past five to six years,” said Borough Administrator Christopher Vaz. “The mayor and borough council have taken notice and directed financial and manpower resources to the cost of making improvements there.”
Vaz said the T-dock at Sunset Beach, specifically, was in need of new decking.
“And with the mild winter we just experienced Public Works Superintendent, William Rumbolo, was able to dedicate some of his employees to that project instead of indoor work that we reserve for cold winter days,” Vaz said. “We were able to mitigate safety concerns at the T-dock while making it look good, too!”
The dock is now complete and will welcome visitors any time. The video and photographs embedded with this story can provide some insider perspectives as to how it came out.