Construction Underway On $32.5 Million Project For Seawall, Boardwalk Repairs In Atlantic City
By Cleve Bryan
ATLANTIC CITY, N.J., (CBS) -- A $32.5 million project to protect part of Atlantic City from storms has begun.
The new seawall along the Absecon Inlet will also replace a part of the boardwalk that was damaged during Superstorm Sandy.
The gentle lapping of waves may give a peaceful impression of Absecon Inlet - but don't be fooled.
Just two weeks ago, a nor'easter-like storm pounded the shore here which has almost no protection, until now.
Construction is underway on a $32.5 million seawall which is almost all federally funded.
"We have trouble filling our trucks with gas these days so it is very grateful to have everyone else on board," said Mayor of Atlantic City Don Guardian.
Almost three years ago, Superstorm Sandy destroyed what was left of the already crumbling boardwalk along the inlet. But Sandy may have actually done more good than harm here because it helped secure funding for the seawall which officials say has been in discussion for more than 30 years.
"So there's a lesson here not to give up, there's a lesson that if you keep working at it that we can get to it," said U.S. Rep. Frank LoBiondo, R-2nd.
And more than $3 million in federal money will help build a new boardwalk which goes all the way from near the Revel casino to the Atlantic City Aquarium in Gardner's Basin. City officials say that along with several other green space and drainage improvement projects should attract new homes and businesses in the city's largely vacant north end.
"By the summer of 2017 this will now become oceanfront or inlet-front waterway property and be very exciting," said Guardian.
North end resident Florence Johnson is very optimistic.
"I'm so glad they started, that's jobs for Atlantic City and we love the inlet boardwalk," said Johnson.
