Critical beach replenishment for Jersey Shore towns in the Fourth Congressional District is primed to begin after the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers officially awarded a contract for the project to Great Lakes Dredge and Dock Company, announced Rep. Chris Smith (R-Manchester).

            “After several contracting delays, this long-awaited project to restore our beaches that have suffered considerable erosion over the past years is finally ready to move forward,” said Smith, who secured $30.2 million in federal funding for the project.

            The project, which has faced several setbacks, had been in serious jeopardy before Smith intervened in January 2022 and secured the entire federal share—or approximately half of the $73.5 million total cost—from the federal infrastructure bill passed by Congress.

            “We have never let up on securing this long-overdue, unjustly delayed project,” said Smith.  “Our shore communities will benefit greatly from the federal assistance and partnership to address significant safety concerns from beach erosion and help blunt damaging effects of major storms.”

            Smith said that while the work schedule is yet to be finalized, the project will likely be completed over the winter months—or possibly sooner.

            “I am confident that the Army Corps will work closely with the contract awardee to help see that this important operation, now finally awarded, is not derailed again,” said Smith.

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