Government

Brick Begins Moving Sand to Beachfront to Cover Sea Wall

by
Daniel Nee
May 12, 2016

A bulldozer moves sand on Brick Beach III, May 11, 2016. (Photo: Daniel Nee)

As the unofficial start of summer lies just two weeks away, Brick Township has begun delivering and spreading sand on beaches up and down its swath of oceanfront.

Deliveries began this week and, in areas where there is beach access, is generally covering the sea wall that was exposed by numerous winter storms. The township had sand on hand, according to Business Administrator Joanne Bergin. Additionally, the stat has provided Brick with $450,000 to use toward sand deliveries. Sand was spread across Brick Beach III on Wednesday, though the area directly to the south, near the Ocean Club condominium complex, still had the sea wall exposed. Additional deliveries were being made in Normandy Beach, south of the township beaches.

Brick Beach III, with sand covering the sea wall, May 11, 2016. (Photo: Daniel Nee)

The beachfront is still off-limits near the Ocean Club condominiums, May 11, 2016. (Photo: Daniel Nee)

Mayor John Ducey has said the township will spread the sand wherever there is beach access, inclusive of both the township’s three public beaches and streets in the various barrier island communities.

The township’s beachfront has technically been closed to access since October 2015, when a powerful nor’easter exposed nearly 20 feet of the steel sea wall which runs the length of Brick and Mantoloking. The sea wall was supposed to be covered by a 22 foot-high vegetated dune, however legal wrangling over easements has prevented the federal beach and dune replenishment project to get underway.

The beach entrance at 7th Avenue, Normandy Beach, after sand was delivered May 11, 2016. (Photo: Daniel Nee)

7th Avenue in Normandy Beach, looking south, May 11, 2016. (Photo: Daniel Nee)

Beach Badges for the 2016 Beach Season are $25 before and on June 15. Badges are $30 from June 16 on. Daily wristbands are $5. Season parking stickers are $30, while daily parking is $5 per day.