Toms River Township will use money from a $5 million capital bond from 2016 to replace the berms that were washed away during last week’s nor’easter that hit the Jersey Shore.
The township contracted with Cardinal Construction which has been has been working since Thursday in Ortley Beach dumping truckloads of sand back on the beach. Once the work is complete in Ortley, crews will begin the replenishment in Normandy Beach.
A statement from the town said the project is expected to take about a week, depending on weather conditions. Cardinal will be delivering approximately 1,500 to 2,000 loads of sand, 30,000 cubic yards overall.
Township officials however took some heat on social media over the cost of the project and the thought of once again, trucking in sand to protect the community which may ultimately wash out to sea again.
“Such a waste of money,” wrote Hector Rodriguez. “The only way to reduce beach erosion is a sea wall.”
“Keep wasting tax dollars instead of building a wall,” wrote Paul Maccarone.
“The sea wall in Brick has proved unsuccessful from mother nature’s wrath,” responded an unidentified Toms River official. “It has been damaged numerous times with sand washing away and portions of the wall exposed.”
“A complete waste of time and money,” responded Ed Lefebvre.
“Love seeing my yearly increases in tax dollars get washed away,” wrote Kyle Behnken. “What a waste.”
“The Army Corps dune and beach replenishment project is expected to start this spring – hopefully within 90 days,” the township said. “Mayor Kelaher and the governing body are pushing hard for the project to start in Ortley Beach first.”
