Local/State

It will cost more to rebuild Belmar's boardwalk

Tuesday, March 05, 2013

Belmar Mayor Matt Doherty signs the first piling of the new boardwalk construction Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2013, in Belmar, N.J. Belmar began construction on a 1.3-mile boardwalk to replace the walkway destroyed by Superstorm Sandy in October. The goal is to have it done by May. Doherty says new designs including the use of strong hurricane tie-down straps will help anchor the new boardwalk to its support moorings. The town intended to rebuild the boardwalk with tropical rain forest wood but abandoned those plans Tuesday, saying it wanted to avoid a protracted legal battle with environmentalists. (AP Photo/Mel Evans) (AP Photo)

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hurricane sandy - nj shore, new jersey, local/state

Associated Press

BELMAR, N.J. (AP) - March 5, 2013 (WPVI) -- It's going to cost nearly $2.5 million more than first thought to rebuild Belmar's boardwalk that was destroyed by Superstorm Sandy.

The town's engineering firm underestimated the original $6.6 million dollar project.

Belmar administrator Colleen Connolly says Birdsall Engineering based the reconstruction on the walkway being 25 feet wide. However, the boardwalk is wider than that in spots.