Nearby: FEMA Covers 90% of Jones Beach Boardwalk Repairs

Story by Andrew Coen

Recent repairs to the Jones Beach Boardwalk after damage caused by Hurricane Sandy are getting federal backing.

U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand announced Tuesday that the New York State Office of Parks Recreation & Historic Preservation will receive $2.4 million in funding -- about 90 percent reimbursement -- from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for repairs to the two-mile long boardwalk.

The federal government has reimbursed New York's parks department for nearly $2.5 million -- about 90 percent of the bill for repairing the storm-smashed 2-mile boardwalk at Jones Beach State Park, New York's two senators said Tuesday.

Last winter following the Oct. 29 superstorm, state workers repaired and replaced 1.5 miles of the boardwalk with more resilient materials to help it better withstand exposure to future storms. The renovated boardwalk was celebrated Memorial Day weekend.

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“Long Island’s much-loved boardwalk at Jones Beach was seriously destroyed by Superstorm Sandy and in-need of repairs,” said Schumer in a statement. “This federal funding will make sure that local taxpayers are not on the hook entirely for these expenses and I am pleased to announce this necessary funding.”

“The boardwalk at Jones Beach was hit hard by Superstorm Sandy and the Long Island’s coastal communities suffered severe damage,” Gillibrand said. “This necessary reimbursement is an important step as we continue to meet New York's needs to recover and rebuild.”

The federal funds will cover the costs of repairing the boardwalk, including the removal of 443,121 linear feet of deck boards to facilitate resetting/leveling of damaged boardwalk piles, installing 72,232.5 square feet of reusable decking, and replacing 35,547.8 square feet of decking that was damaged beyond repair. The funds will also cover the repair and replacement of handrails, conduits and wiring for light poles along boardwalk, light poles/fixtures, and wood girders that were damaged by Hurricane Sandy.