Hurricane Sandy

Jersey Shore Summer 2013: Beach Guide

Planning a vacation or just a day trip? Patch has all the information on the Shore's best beaches

More than six months after Superstorm Sandy caused unprecedented damage to the Jersey Shore region, the beaches will be open for Memorial Day Weekend and the summer. While certain access points and facilities might be closed as municipalities continue to work on restoration, for the most part, the beaches will be operational. The only beach that remains off limits to the public is Mantoloking. The borough was home to a breach that split Ocean County's northern barrier island in half and was one of the hardest hit communities in New Jersey during the storm. So as you prepare to stick your toes in the sand, are you wondering what will be accessible after Sandy? Need to know how much it will cost to buy badges to your favorite beach? Curious …

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Loss Of Boardwalk Causing City to Look at New Traffic Pattern For Ocean Ave.

Long Branch may add barriers to separate traffic from pedestrians who are using roadway for recreational activities

City officials are worried that the loss of the boardwalk along Ocean Avenue due to Hurricane Sandy will impact the safety of pedestrians along the street, especially during the busier summer months. Long Branch Business Administrator Howard Woolley said people who normally ran or walked on the boardwalk are now using the roadway, and that safety is an issue. "They have chosen to walk in the roadway, and we think this is a very unsafe condition, and we have started to look at it," Woolley said Long Branch Police Lt. Craig Spencer gave a presentation on a proposed, temporary change to the traffic pattern on Ocean Avenue and the installation of Jersey barriers to separate pedestrians and drivers. "The mayor can by his direction, if he feels …

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Christie: 'Belmar Is Leading The Way To Recovery'

Governor on hand for first phase of boardwalk rebuild

Gov. Chris Christie and a host of elected officials stood amid a still recovering Ocean Avenue in Belmar Wednesday to kick off the rebuilding of the borough’s boardwalk 73 days after Hurricane Sandy. Flanked by Mayor Matthew Doherty and U.S. Reps. Chris Smith and Frank Pallone, Christie gave a decidedly upbeat speech to a crowd of more than 200 assembled in front of a massive pile driver as construction on the $6.6 million boardwalk commenced. Calling the Jersey Shore “the heartbeat of our state,’’ Christie said that Belmar was on the vanguard of shore towns rebuilding after the devastating storm. "Belmar is leading the way to recovery,'' Christie said. "Today is one of the great, great first moments of the rebuilding of our state, and, …

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PHOTOS: Long Branch Boardwalk Devastated

Boardwalk, promenade, Pier Village closed to public

  The Long Branch oceanfront has been devastated by Hurricane Sandy. Huge sections of the boardwalk have been washed away by the storm and it has been fenced off by the city. Pier Village and the promenade section of the boardwalk were not as badly damaged as the wooden boardwalk, but they have also been closed off by emergency personnel. Ocean Avenue between Seaview Avenue and Madison Avenue is covered in sand, but crews are now working to remove it. Several traffic lights are out on Ocean Boulevard and all entry to Monmouth Beach is prohibited at this time. The above pictures of the boardwalk area were taken Sunday afternoon.

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Council Awards Bids For Long Branch Boardwalk Improvement Project

Paving and boardwalk railing bids accepted

  The city has awarded two bids for improvements to the Long Branch boardwalk. A $329,348 bid was awarded to Fiore Paving Company for street improvements near the boardwalk and a $471,785 bid was awarded to Maturano Recreation Company Inc. to replace the boardwalk railings. The Long Branch Council adopted a $950,000 bond ordinance last December for improvements to the boardwalk between Morris Avenue and Brighton Avenue. The appropriations included a $421,000 grant from Green Acres for the project and a $421,000 loan from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). The DEP loan is zero interest and is repayable over 20 years according to Long Branch Chief Financial Officer Ron Mehlhorn. The city received the new bids for …

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Improvements Coming For Long Branch Boardwalk

Council introduces bond ordinance that would allocate funds for project

The oceanfront boardwalk in Long Branch is an attractive destination for summer tourists and year-round residents, and it will be getting a facelift in 2012. The Long Branch Council introduced a $950,000 bond ordinance during its Tuesday night meeting for improvements to the boardwalk between Morris Avenue and Brighton Avenue. The council is expected to adopt the ordinance at its Dec. 27 meeting. The appropriations included a $421,000 grant from Green Acres for the project and a $421,000 loan from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). The DEP loan is zero interest and is repayable over 20 year according to Long Branch Chief Financial Officer Ron Mehlhorn. The city is funding the remaining $107,400 of the project, …

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