PHILADELPHIA -- The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ (USACE) Philadelphia District shared an update regarding periodic nourishment of the Great Egg Harbor Inlet to Townsends Inlet dune and beachfill project. USACE has awarded a $21.6 million contract to Norfolk Dredging Company of Chesapeake, VA for dune and beachfill work in Sea Isle City and Upper Township (Strathmere), N.J. USACE has expedited all pre-construction steps consistent with the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works’ “Building Infrastructure, Not Paperwork” initiative.
The contract calls for dredging, pumping and placing approximately 1.86 million cubic yards of sand from two borrow areas (one is located off Corsons Inlet, and the other is located about three miles offshore of Sea Isle City). The sand will be pumped onto the beach at the following locations:
- 1,381,000 cubic yards of sand from north of Seaview Ave stretching to Landis/Commonwealth intersection (approximately 5,168 feet) in the Strathmere section of Upper Township
- 479,000 cubic yards of sand from between 29th/30th Streets to between 54th/55th Streets (approximately 6,771 feet) in Sea Isle City.
The sand is then graded into an engineered dune and berm template, which is designed to maintain the dune and berm system and reduce damage from coastal storms. Dune crossovers/access paths, fencing, and other features will be installed/repaired as part of the contract.
The project is a joint effort of the USACE Philadelphia District, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, and the municipalities. Work is cost-shared (50 percent federal and 50 percent non-federal).
Construction is expected to begin in early June in Sea Isle City after Norfolk Dredging Company mobilizes dredging equipment for the project. Construction updates will be regularly posted on the USACE Philadelphia District’s website.
Release no. 26-011