Atlantic City and Asbury Park among the top recipients of the fund
New Jersey has announced a new program to fund repairs, reconstruction or expansions of boardwalks, the wooden walkways over the sand that form the backbone of many popular seaside resort towns. The program will allocate $100 million from the federal COVID19 recovery funds under the American Rescue Act to 18 Jersey Shore townsAtlantic City and Asbury Park, two of the state’s most famous boardwalks, will each get $20 million for their walkways.
Atlantic City’s Boardwalk, which was built in 1870, is credited as being the first boardwalk in the nation. It is the link between the casinos and the beach, and attracts millions of visitors every year. The city plans to use the fund to replace a section of the boardwalk that is over 100 years old. Asbury Park’s Boardwalk, which is the musical home of Bruce Springsteen, is also a historic and cultural landmark. The city plans to use the fund to extend the boardwalk northward and connect it with the neighboring town of Loch Arbour.
Governor Murphy praises the boardwalks as a prized destination
Governor Phil Murphy, a Democrat, praised the boardwalks as a vital part of the state’s tourism industry and a source of memories for many residents and visitors. “So many of us have created memories with family and friends at the boardwalks of the Jersey Shore,” he said. “Our boardwalks have long been a prized destination, and we want to keep them that way by helping shore communities repair and maintain these wooden main streets.
Murphy also said that the fund will help the shore towns recover from the economic impact of the pandemic, which reduced the number of tourists and revenues last year. “This investment will not only ensure the longevity of our boardwalks, but also support the small businesses and workers that rely on them,” he said.
Other shore towns to benefit from the fund
Besides Atlantic City and Asbury Park, 16 other shore towns will also receive funds for their boardwalk projects. The amounts range from $448,000 for Berkeley Township to $10.2 million for North Wildwood. Some of the projects include:
- Replacing the decking, railings, and lighting of the boardwalk in Wildwood, which is one of the longest and widest in the world.
- Repairing the damage caused by Superstorm Sandy in 2012 to the boardwalk in Ventnor, which is adjacent to Atlantic City.
- Enhancing the accessibility, safety, and aesthetics of the boardwalk in Ocean City, which is known as “America’s Greatest Family Resort”.
- Expanding the boardwalk in Seaside Heights, which is famous for its amusement rides and nightlife.
- Building a new boardwalk in Carteret, which is the only town in the state that does not have one yet.
Jacquelyn Suarez, acting commissioner of the state Division of Community Affairs, said that the fund will help the local governments cope with the high costs of maintaining, repairing, and strengthening the boardwalks. “They are also incredibly expensive for local governments to maintain, repair, and strengthen,” she said. “This funding will ease the burden on local taxpayers and ensure that our boardwalks remain safe and enjoyable for generations to come.”
