Beach Replenishment Will Move Forward, From Manasquan Inlet South

MANASQUAN, NJ — A major beach replenishment project that will occur on beaches from Manasquan Inlet south to Barnegat Inlet is ready to move forward, with a new contract awarded this week, announced Jersey Shore Congressman Chris Smith (R-Manchester).

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers officially awarded the contract for the project to Great Lakes Dredge and Dock Company. The project will likely be completed over the winter months — or possibly sooner.

The project had faced several setbacks and was actually in serious jeopardy of not happening: This was because the U.S. Army Corps had not received federal funding for this specific beach replenishment project in the infrastructure bill that Congress passed in 2021.

Congressman Smith intervened in January 2022 and secured $30.2 million in federal funding for it. In total, this beach replenishment project will cost $73.5 million.

"After several contracting delays, this long-awaited project to restore our beaches that have suffered considerable erosion over the past years is finally ready to move forward," said Smith.

"We never let up on securing this long-overdue, unjustly delayed project," said Congressman Smith. "I am confident that the Army Corps will work closely with the contract awardee (Great Lakes Dredge and Dock Company) to help see that this important operation, now finally awarded, is not derailed again."