The fencing there now is inadequate and falling into disrepair, Smith, R-N.J., said.

“I alerted the Army Corps to the deteriorating conditions of the fence after hearing from residents and elected officials in Point Pleasant,” Smith said. “Safety is everyone’s number one concern, so I reached out to the Army Corps to ask for its quickest possible response.”

Inspections were completed last year, and emergency repairs were made immediately. A work plan was then developed thanks to the Army Corps decision to allocate $3 million to fund more extensive improvements.

 

KEY POINTS: 

• The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will install new fencing around the Point Pleasant Canal for $3 million.
• Current fencing is inadequate and in disrepair, prompting Congressman Chris Smith to advocate for repairs.
• The project will go out to bid and is expected to be completed next summer.

“The canal is vital as it connects Monmouth and Ocean County boaters to open waters, but as locals know, it is infamous for its swift and dangerous currents. We need to ensure that families can fish along the waterway and enjoy this engineering marvel while staying safely on land,” Smith said.

The fencing work comes as the Army Corps has just completed significant repairs to the entrance to the canal from the Manasquan River, making the canal walls more resilient and up to current design standards. Smith said in 2022 he secured $3.2 million in federal funding for that project, which repaired portions of the bulkhead that had suffered the most significant damage over the years.