Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) today said the Point Pleasant Canal will receive $3.2 million in federal funds from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act­­—the bipartisan infrastructure law he supported and voted “Yes” on in early November—to help repair portions of the bulkhead that have suffered significant damage over the years.

            “This is great news for Point Pleasant and all mariners who rely on this critical piece of our coastal infrastructure,” said Rep. Smith. “The steel bulkhead along the canal is showing its age, and this work will help shore up the properties on each side of the waterway to ensure safe passage by water between Monmouth and Ocean counties.”

            “Once again Congressman Smith has made sure that our area is not overlooked,” said Point Pleasant Mayor Bob Sabosik. “Not only has he managed to secure much-needed beach replenishment funding for the surrounding communities with beach front, he also has managed to secure $3.2 million dollars for Point Pleasant Borough for much-needed bulkhead repairs along the Point Pleasant Canal.”

            “Throughout the years, he has stayed in constant contact with local mayors including myself and does not only listen, but helps us get the resources we need to make our communities at the Jersey Shore better,” Sabosik said of Smith.

            First opened to navigation in 1926, the Point Pleasant Canal is a roughly 2-mile-long, man-made channel that connects the Barnegat Bay and the Manasquan River.

            The federal dollars to repair the canal come after Smith’s efforts earlier this month helped secure $30.2 million from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act­­ for much-needed beach replenishment for Jersey shore towns in the Fourth Congressional District.

            Passed with bipartisan support in both the House and the Senate, the infrastructure law provides funding to repair and rebuild dangerous roads, bridges, rail lines, tunnels and lead-contaminated water pipes in addition to other eligible critical projects.

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