NORTH WILDWOOD, New Jersey (WPVI) — On Friday, people stopped to watch as sand was dumped onto the beach on Fifth Avenue in North Wildwood.
“I think it’s great that they were able to do this,” resident Pat Rich said.
Work began Wednesday, and Gov. Phil Murphy toured the emergency project to widen the beach on Friday afternoon.
“When we saw the pictures back in March of this year, especially in front of the hotel, we said enough is enough, let’s put our differences aside and get this done,” Murphy said.
Residents say they have watched their beaches get smaller and smaller.
“We’ve been here for a long time asking for help, our beach has shrunk a lot over the years and we’ve gotten no help,” resident Colleen Haston said.
Officials have argued for years that sand washes down the island and onto Wildwood’s vast beaches.
In the past, North Wildwood used trucks to haul sand back.
But now officials say they can’t do that because erosion is too severe.
The case has led to a legal battle between the city and the state Department of Environmental Protection over what repairs can be made and when.
Sen. Michael Testa said the recent securing of funding to preserve the trail was a turning point.
“We’ve had the discussion: We’re going to build this beautiful new trail, but we’re not going to build a beach in North Wildwood,” said Sen. Michael Testa, who represents New Jersey’s 1st Congressional District.
North Wildwood Mayor Patrick Rosenello said he is relieved that work is underway.
“It’s a big thing for people to know that we have an artificial beach, just like the rest of New Jersey,” Rosenello said.
The DEP issued an emergency permit for the project.
Various beaches will be closed as the project moves forward, and Rosenero said there is funding available to replenish the stretch from 2nd Avenue to 23rd Street.
Officials hope the project will be completed around the Fourth of July.
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