Credit: (AP Photo/Wayne Parry)As the summer tourism season is set to begin, some of New Jersey’s most iconic boardwalks are getting a makeover under a $100 million preservation program funded by the federal government.
In all, upgrades to the boardwalk infrastructure in 18 communities are underway, from Cape May to Long Branch, according to state officials.
Gov. Phil Murphy and lawmakers used New Jersey’s share of aid from the American Rescue Plan Act, a nearly $2 trillion COVID-19 recovery and stimulus initiative signed into law by President Joe Biden in 2021, to fund the boardwalk preservation program.
The goal of what Murphy and lawmakers have called the Boardwalk Preservation Fund is to provide communities with grants that can be used to maintain the vibrant role that boardwalks play in the Jersey Shore economy, officials said.
Detailed budget documents submitted to the Legislature earlier this year indicated more than 30 communities applied for funding, with requests totaling more than $360 million. Individual awards ranged from $20 million to $450,000, according to the budget documents.
Credit: (AP Photo/Wayne Parry)To receive grant funding, applicants needed to meet at least one of the following criteria: Boardwalk construction that adds new boardwalk components; boardwalk maintenance; boardwalk reconstruction, or repair of ancillary or appurtenant structures. Improving accessibility, storm resiliency and durability were other key criteria, officials said.
Under federal law, the funding must be expended by the grant recipients by Dec. 31, 2026.
The boardwalk makeover list
The following is a complete list of the boardwalk upgrades currently underway.
Asbury Park
Project: New boardwalk decking, railings, benches and restroom upgrades; also, the rehabilitation of Convention Hall.
Grant: $20,000,000
Timeline: 2024 – 2026
Atlantic City
Project: Demolition, repair, and replacement of existing boardwalk with storm-resilient hardwood materials, ADA ramp installations and lighting replacements.
Grant: $20,000,000
Timeline: 2024 – 2026
Belmar
Project: Demolition of concrete slabs supporting restrooms along sections of the boardwalk to be replaced with storm-resilient materials and boardwalk extension, ADA-compliant stairs and ramps.
Grant: $1,504,184
Timeline: 2024 – 2025
Berkeley Township
Project: Expansion and refortification of boardwalk; demolition and replacement using resilient materials and addition of ADA components.
Grant: $448,125
Timeline: 2024
Bradley Beach
Project: Boardwalk improvements including extended paver walks, bulkhead and jetty rock installation, lighting improvements, site amenities and ADA components.
Grant: $4,275,000
Timeline: 2024 – 2026
Brigantine
Project: Boardwalk infrastructure replacement and reinforcement of the structure with additional jetty stone.
Grant: $1,185,838
Timeline: 2024 – 2026
Cape May
Project: Promenade restoration and widening for ADA accessibility, installation of bulkheads and seawall height extension.
Grant: $6,722,552
Timeline: 2024 – 2026
Carteret
Project: Demolition of existing boardwalk sections, reconstruction with resilient materials, ADA ramp installation, boardwalk lighting upgrades and emergency security boxes.
Grant: $2,417,339
Timeline: 2024 – 2025
Keyport
Project: Timber bulkhead replacement with decking, an elevated bulkhead, concrete promenade and reconstructing stormwater outfalls and tidal check valves.
Grant: $800,694
Timeline: 2024 – 2026
Long Branch
Project: ADA-accessible boardwalk extension, public safety building improvements and Great Lawn improvements.
Grant: $3,249,000
Timeline: 2024 – 2026
North Wildwood
Project: Boardwalk rehabilitation using resilient materials, ADA component installations and lighting upgrades.
Grant: $10,259,827
Timeline: 2024 – 2026
Ocean City
Project: Boardwalk rehabilitation addressing piling failures and damaged sections and installation of ADA-compliant ramps.
Grant: $4,859,175
Timeline 2024 – 2026
Sea Isle City
Project: Promenade preservation improvements including structural improvements, ADA access ramps and decorative lighting.
Grant: $1,997,000
Timeline: 2024 – 2026
Seaside Heights
Project: Boardwalk replacement including 17 ADA accessible ramps, piers, stairs, existing piles and restroom upgrades (ADA accessible).
Grant: $4,795,362
Timeline: 2024 – 2025
Toms River
Project: Improvements at Ortley Beach Surf Club, design and construction of boardwalk with ADA access ramps, timber stairs, railings, pavilion structure improvements and new lighting.
Grant: $1,018,441
Timeline: 2025
Ventnor
Project: Demolition of existing boardwalk, replacement with hardwood and resilient materials, ADA ramp installations, lighting upgrades and electric service panels.
Grant: $7,110,689
Timeline: 2024 – 2026
Wildwood
Project: Boardwalk rehabilitation using resilient materials, ADA installations and lighting upgrades.
Grant: $8,269,013
Timeline: 2024 – 2026
Wildwood Crest
Project: Reconstruction of the Heather Road pier.
Grant: $1,087,425
Timeline: 2024 – 2025
