The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has approved $4.1 million for the Borough of Spring Lake to help fund the reconstruction of its boardwalk destroyed Superstorm Sandy, said U.S. Rep. Chris Smith (NJ-04), who represents the hard-hit disaster areas of Ocean and Monmouth counties.

    “Spring Lake, like its neighboring shore communities and their residents, are counting on FEMA assistance to stay sound financially,” said Smith. “Our towns have expended tremendous, unprecedented amounts of money to clean up after Sandy and restore normalcy. Boardwalks are the economic lifeline of beach towns, which would not fully recover unless their boardwalks are rebuilt and open for tourism. I will continue to work to help Spring Lake and other towns recover and rebuild.”

    The FEMA award provides $4,116,372.75 in federal funding to Spring Lake toward the $5,488,497 it cost to replace the destroyed boardwalk. The new 10,000-foot boardwalk is 16-feet wide and rebuilt on the original boardwalk path on concrete pilings. The borough reports the boardwalk is rebuilt and its beaches are open for visitors.

    This funding is being provided by FEMA under authority of section 403 of the Robert T. Stafford Act.

     The town has contracted with suppliers for materials, including lumber, hardware, railings to replace the boardwalk stringers, decking, ramps, and stairs. An estimated 25,000 planks will be used along with 450,000 stainless steel screws, 25,000 feet of railing and other materials.  The town will replace 13 outdoor showers, 13 drinking fountains, replace 242 benches, 55 precast concrete garbage receptacles, 10 bike racks, 2,000 ft. of sand fence and  boardwalk signage for directional, informational and regulatory purpose.

    Smith said federal aid is needed to help Jersey Shore towns recover from the worst natural disaster in the state’s history. Smith repeatedly went to the House floor earlier this year to push for a total of $60.4 billion in emergency disaster aid to fund the National Flood Insurance Program and FEMA response to Sandy.