Long Branch Beach Replenishment Nearly Halfway Complete

By Christopher Sheldon

The Long Branch beach replenishment project is working its way north to Seven Presidents Oceanfront Park, according to city officials.

Long Branch Office of Emergency Management Coordinator Stanley Dziuba said the first phase of the project, which runs from Pier Village to the Monmouth Beach border, will be completed by early February. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will begin the second phase of the project around the same time.

The second phase will begin just north of Lake Takanassee and will head up to Pier Village.

Dzuiba said the work is expected to be completed by the end of April or the first week of May.

"The last portion of the work will be at our biggest beaches, so if they're done in April, we should be in good shape," Long Branch Administrator Howard Woolley said.

Woolley said 21.2 percent of 3.3 million cubic yards of sand have been placed so far and that Manson Construction is working "24/7" to have get the project completed by the spring.

Dziuba said there is already a "nice, even slope" at the beach in Pier Village and that he has been impressed with the work done by Manson Construction to this point.